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Texas Water Quality
2,761
Utilities in database
29.0M
Residents served
22%
On private wells
3
Key contaminants tracked
Drinking Water in Texas
Texas has more public water systems than any other state. Groundwater from the Ogallala and Edwards aquifers serves millions of Texans. Naturally occurring arsenic is elevated in parts of West Texas, and agricultural nitrate contamination is a documented concern in rural areas. TCEQ holds primary enforcement authority over Texas water systems.
Utilities in Texas
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Key Contaminant Concerns in Texas
Nitrates
Nitrate (NO₃⁻) is a nitrogen-containing compound that forms naturally through the decomposition of organic matter. At elevated concentrations — almost always from human activity — nitrate interferes with the blood's ability to carry oxygen. The United States produces over 23 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer annually, making agricultural runoff the dominant source of nitrate contamination.
DBPs
When utilities add chlorine to water to kill pathogens, it reacts with dissolved organic matter — leaves, algae, soil — to produce disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Over 600 DBPs have been identified. The EPA regulates two groups: total trihalomethanes (TTHMs, including chloroform) and haloacetic acids (HAA5). DBP levels tend to be highest in surface water systems and in warm months when organic matter is elevated.
Arsenic
Arsenic (As) occurs naturally in rock and soil, dissolving into groundwater through natural weathering processes. Inorganic arsenic — the form found in drinking water — is a known human carcinogen. The western United States has particularly arsenic-rich geological formations, but elevated levels have been found in 48 states. Arsenic is tasteless and odorless.
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Data source: Utility data from EPA SDWIS. 2,761 active community water systems ingested. CCR contaminant data ingestion in progress.
Last updated: 2025-01-10