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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 79838 Water Quality & Testing Report

Fabens, TX · El Paso County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 79838 (Fabens, TX)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 79838 (Fabens, TX) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by El Paso County Wcid 4 Fabens, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of A (95/100) with 0 health violations, 1.4 ppb lead, and very hard (241 mg/L / 14.1 GPG) water.

Safety Score
A

Water Safety Grade

Excellent — Meets all EPA standards

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

1

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 79838

Tap water in ZIP code 79838 (Fabens, TX) is distributed by El Paso County Wcid 4 Fabens (EPA ID: TX0710018), serving approximately 9,444 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of A with a composite quality score of 95/100.

Water System

El Paso County Wcid 4 Fabens

EPA ID: TX0710018

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

9,444 residents

County

El Paso County County, Texas

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Lead Levels in ZIP 79838

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 1.4 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 79838 is 1.4 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.

Lead exposure risk in 79838 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 31% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
1.40 ppb (0.0014 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Moderate
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

31%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Very Hard14.1 GPG · 241 mg/L

Water in ZIP 79838 is Very Hard (241 mg/L / 14.1 GPG). High concentrations of dissolved limestone minerals cause severe mineral buildup, stiff laundry, dry skin, and premature water heater wear.

Recommendation: A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

14.1 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

241 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: El Paso County Wcid 4 Fabens · PWSID: TX0710018

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

El Paso County Wcid 4 Fabens has recorded 1 violation, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions).

Total Violations (5 yr)
1
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Low

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Low based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 79838 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 2 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

3.04%

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 79838

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 79838 served by El Paso County Wcid 4 Fabens can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in TX for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 79838 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from El Paso County Wcid 4 Fabens
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Recommended Taste & Safety Filter:

🚰

NSF/ANSI 53 Certified Pitcher Filter

Best for removing aesthetic chlorine, odors, and low-level heavy metals.

Filter Selection Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 79838 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 79838?+
Yes — tap water in 79838 (Fabens, TX) meets EPA standards with a water safety grade of A. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 79838 (Fabens, TX)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 79838, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in TX. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 79838?+
Tap water in 79838 is classified as Very Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 241 mg/L (14.1 GPG). A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Should I test private well water in 79838?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 79838 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 79838 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 79838 is 1.4 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 79838?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 79838. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 79838?+
Tap water in ZIP code 79838 is provided by El Paso County Wcid 4 Fabens (EPA ID: TX0710018), serving approximately 9,444 residents.
What water filter should I use in 79838?+
Based on water metrics for 79838, we recommend None / Standard Pitcher. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 (Chlorine, Taste & Odor).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 79838 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by El Paso County Wcid 4 Fabens. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →