Water quality · TX
Texas Water Quality (2026)
Last updated: June 2026
Up to 207 contaminants detected statewide. Over 700 water systems reported TTHM above the EPA legal limit of 80 ppb, reaching an estimated 8.6M people.
Our Texas coverage focuses on the 9 metros below. Each city page lists the utility's water source, hardness in grains per gallon, contaminants flagged above EWG's stricter health guideline, and the whole-house system that fits that specific profile, not a generic recommendation copied across the state.
Common contaminants flagged across Texas
Across the Texas cities we cover, these are the contaminants most often reported above EWG's health guideline. None exceed federal EPA legal limits.
- disinfection byproducts
- Hardness is the primary issue
- chloramine
- chromium-6
- arsenic
- hardness
- 13+ contaminants above EWG health guidelines, including TTHM and radiological
- Arsenic
Cities we cover in Texas
| City | Hardness | Flagged above EWG guideline | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | - | disinfection byproducts | Softener + carbon |
| Austin | 15–20 (very hard) | Hardness is the primary issue | Salt-based softener |
| Corpus Christi | - | disinfection byproducts | Softener + carbon |
| Dallas | 8-12 | chloramine, disinfection byproducts, chromium-6 | Catalytic carbon plus softener |
| El Paso | - | arsenic, hardness | Softener + carbon; POU RO for drinking |
| Fort Worth | - | disinfection byproducts | Softener + carbon |
| Houston | Moderate–hard | 13+ contaminants above EWG health guidelines, including TTHM and radiological, Arsenic | Catalytic carbon filter, plus a softener if hardness is high in your zip code |
| Lubbock | - | arsenic, fluoride | Softener + POU RO |
| San Antonio | 15–20 (very hard) | Hardness is the primary issue (water meets EPA limits) | Salt-based softener |
Recommended systems for Texas
Most Texas homes benefit from a layered setup: whole-house carbon for chlorine and taste, a softener if your CCR shows hardness above 7 gpg, and a certified under-sink RO at the kitchen tap if lead, PFAS, nitrate or arsenic are flagged.
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Find your system →Texas water FAQ
+Is Texas tap water safe to drink?
Yes, by federal standards: the cities on this page all meet every EPA legal limit. The contaminants we flag sit above EWG's stricter, non-enforceable health guideline, which is the benchmark most homeowners use when deciding whether to filter further at home.
+Why is Texas water hard?
Hardness comes from calcium and magnesium picked up as water moves through local geology. In Texas, the values vary city by city, see the table above for your metro. Anything above 7 grains per gallon is considered hard and is where a softener starts to make a noticeable difference.
+Do I need a softener or a filter in Texas?
Different problems, different tools. A whole-house carbon filter handles chlorine, chloramine and taste. A softener handles scale from hard water. Many Texas homes benefit from both, and a kitchen-tap RO if lead, PFAS or nitrate appear on your CCR.
Sources: EWG Tap Water Database; Clearly Filtered 2026