Water Quality in Abilene, TX: 170 Violations — Grade A
Grade A · Score 86/100 · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Abilene's water meets all EPA standards with no health-based violations.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
Available EPA records for Abilene, TX: 170 water compliance violations tied to local public water systems.
Water Quality Map: Abilene, TX
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Abilene
Water quality varies across Abilene's 10 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79605 | B | 75 | 17 | 2 | View report → |
| 79601 | B | 80 | 17 | 2 | View report → |
| 79603 | B | 80 | 17 | 2 | View report → |
| 79606 | B | 80 | 17 | 2 | View report → |
| 79602 | A | 85 | 17 | 2 | View report → |
| 79604 | A | 90 | 17 | 2 | View report → |
| 79608 | A | 90 | 17 | 2 | View report → |
| 79697 | A | 93 | 17 | 2 | View report → |
| 79698 | A | 93 | 17 | 2 | View report → |
| 79699 | A | 93 | 17 | 2 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Abilene.
Water Quality Overview
Abilene, Texas receives a water quality grade of A with an overall score of 86 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 5 water systems serving Abilene have accumulated 170 EPA violations, including 20 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 10 ZIP codes serving approximately 137,705 people.
What Grade A Means
A grade of A indicates excellent compliance with EPA drinking water standards. Abilene's water systems have maintained strong performance in both contaminant monitoring and regulatory compliance.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Abilene water systems is 0.0012 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 55% of homes built before 1986, Abilene has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Abilene
Abilene is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 137,705 people across 10 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 100 enforcement actions against water systems serving Abilene. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Abilene
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test — certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Abilene Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Abilene's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 40 | 10 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 30 | 10 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 20 | 10 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 20 | 10 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 20 | 10 | Yes |
| E. coli | Microbiological | N/A | 10 | 10 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 10 | 10 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Abilene:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10 | 10 |
| 2023 | 10 | 10 |
| 2024 | 10 | 10 |
Violation counts have remained stable over the observed period.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Abilene. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-07-03 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-06-12 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-06-11 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-05-29 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-05-29 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-05-28 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-05-21 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-03-31 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-03-31 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-03-06 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-07-03.
Abilene vs. Nearby Texas Cities
How Abilene's water quality compares to similar cities in Texas:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | A | 170 | 5 | 137,705 |
| San Marcos | B | 2 | 5 | 137,288 |
| Odessa | D | 207 | 5 | 139,068 |
| Carrollton | A | 0 | 1 | 136,170 |
Recommended Water Filters for Abilene
Based on contaminants detected in Abilene's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Trihalomethane (TTHM)
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Abilene
Water quality varies across Abilene's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79605 | 75 | B | 17 | 2 |
| 79601 | 80 | B | 17 | 2 |
| 79603 | 80 | B | 17 | 2 |
| 79606 | 80 | B | 17 | 2 |
| 79602 | 85 | A | 17 | 2 |
| 79604 | 90 | A | 17 | 2 |
| 79608 | 90 | A | 17 | 2 |
| 79697 | 93 | A | 17 | 2 |
| 79698 | 93 | A | 17 | 2 |
| 79699 | 93 | A | 17 | 2 |
Common Questions About Abilene Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Abilene, Texas:
Is Abilene water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Abilene's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Abilene tap water? Abilene's water receives a grade of A (86/100). There are 20 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Abilene? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, whole-house poe) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Abilene vs. Texas Average
Understanding how Abilene compares to the broader Texas average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below — water quality can vary significantly even within Abilene.
ZIP Codes in Abilene
Abilene spans 10 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 79601. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade A is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.