Water Quality in Abilene, TX: 110 Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems
11 water systems · 6 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 110 violations across 6 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Abilene. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Abilene
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79601 | 80 | 41 | View report → |
| 79602 | 79 | 47 | View report → |
| 79606 | 36 | 9 | View report → |
| 79603 | 19 | 2 | View report → |
| 79605 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 79699 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Abilene, Texas has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 6 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 110 violations, including 49 health-based violations across 6 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Abilene is reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit); the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to a water system's own 90th-percentile result and is not a safety threshold (EPA's health goal for lead is zero). No exceedances appear among the 6 ZIP records with known lead status.
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 11 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 135,187 people live in the area (10 ZIP codes, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
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
EPA records list 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 and violation history
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 92 | 3 | Yes |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | N/A | 39 | 4 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 14 | 2 | Yes |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 12 | 6 | Yes |
| Chlorine | Disinfectant | 4 mg/L (MRDL) | 11 | 4 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | N/A | 11 | 4 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 11 | 4 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | N/A | 10 | 4 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 6 | 6 | No |
| Nitrite | Inorganic | 1 mg/L | 2 | 2 | Yes |
The standard column shows the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) except for lead and copper, whose value is an action level that triggers corrective steps and is not an MCL. Health-based violations are MCL, MRDL and treatment-technique violations.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year health-based EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Abilene (this history covers health-based records only):
| Year | Health-based violations |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Health-based violations have decreased from 8 in 2021 to 2 in 2025, indicating improving compliance.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken enforcement actions against water systems serving Abilene. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-05-13 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-05-12 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-04-29 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-04-23 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-04-02 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-03-31 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-03-31 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-03-26 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-03-04 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-02-24 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-05-13.
Abilene vs. Nearby Texas Cities
How Abilene's water quality compares to similar cities in Texas:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | 6 | 110 | 11 | 135,187 |
| Carrollton | 3 | 3 | 6 | 134,385 |
| New Braunfels | 2 | 196 | 7 | 136,170 |
| College Station | 2 | 8 | 5 | 137,703 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Abilene
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Abilene's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
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 11 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Abilene tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 49 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Abilene? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. 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. EPA water-system coverage is available for 6 directly mapped ZIP codes. 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
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.