01The verdict: is New Home water safe?
New Home's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (46/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 965 residents using groundwater (wells).
32 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓965 people, 1 system
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓44 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓New Home's drinking water received a grade of D (46 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 965 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 6.7 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 209 violations on record, including 169 health-based violations. 32 remain unresolved.
New Home ranks #868 out of 1067 cities in Texas for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. New Home relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, New Home may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 44 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in New Home's water
Every contaminant flagged in New Home, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 6.7 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Texas
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Texas
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03New Home's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 209 violations on record, including 169 health-based violations. 32 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 5.7 ppb since 1994. Latest reading: 6.7 ppb (2025) — 45% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where New Home's water comes from
New Home's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
965 people
Residents served across New Home's service area.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals. Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 965 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF NEW HOME | TX1530004 | 965 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on New Home's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
3 federal disaster declarations on record for Lynn County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Lynn County is in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How New Home compares
Scores for nearby Texas cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Texas average (46/100)
New Home scores 46/100 — on par with the Texas average of 46/100. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities. Full Texas rankings →
27.8 / 100FSan Antonio, TX
33.1 / 100FAustin, TX
31.2 / 100FDallas, TX
36.2 / 100FFort Worth, TX
34.5 / 100FEl Paso, TX
35.8 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in New Home's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 6.7 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for New Home alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is New Home, TX tap water safe to drink?
New Home's water quality earned a grade of D (46/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #868 out of 1067 cities tested in Texas.
What contaminants are in New Home's water?
Lead was measured at 6.7 ppb (90th percentile). 209 violations are on record.
How is New Home's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in New Home?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Home's water come from?
New Home's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 965 residents.
What health violations has New Home's water system had?
New Home has 169 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 32 violations remain unresolved.
Is New Home's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New Home uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 209 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does New Home's water compare to other cities?
New Home ranks #868 out of 1067 cities in Texas (better than 19% of state cities) and #13769 out of 15382 cities nationally (11th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does New Home's small water system affect quality?
New Home's system serves approximately 965 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 209 violations on record.