Water Quality in Austin, TX: 240 Violations — Grade A
Grade A · Score 92/100 · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Austin's water meets all EPA standards with no health-based violations.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
Local water systems serving Austin, TX carry 240 EPA violations on record in the federal compliance database — documented events spanning categories from maximum contaminant level exceedances to monitoring requirements tracked by the national Safe Drinking Water program.
Water Quality Map: Austin, TX
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Austin
Water quality varies across Austin's 80 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78734 | B | 79 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78744 | B | 79 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78745 | B | 79 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78747 | B | 79 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78701 | B | 84 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78703 | B | 84 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78704 | B | 84 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78719 | B | 84 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78721 | B | 84 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78723 | B | 84 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78724 | B | 84 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78727 | B | 84 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78731 | B | 84 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78746 | B | 84 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 78750 | B | 84 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Austin, Texas receives a water quality grade of A with an overall score of 92 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 5 water systems serving Austin have accumulated 240 EPA violations, including 80 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 80 ZIP codes serving approximately 1,246,707 people.
What Grade A Means
A grade of A indicates excellent compliance with EPA drinking water standards. Austin's water systems have maintained strong performance in both contaminant monitoring and regulatory compliance.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Austin water systems is 0.0040 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
Water Systems Serving Austin
Austin is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 1,246,707 people across 80 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 800 enforcement actions against water systems serving Austin. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Austin
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 Austin Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Austin's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 80 | 80 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 80 | 80 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Austin. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-01-16 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-01-15 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-01-15 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-07-03 | State Informal Action |
| 2023-11-22 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-07-25 | State Informal Action |
| 2023-07-25 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2023-07-10 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-06-08 | State Informal Action |
| 2023-05-17 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-01-16.
Austin vs. Nearby Texas Cities
How Austin's water quality compares to similar cities in Texas:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | A | 240 | 5 | 1,246,707 |
| Mc Neil | C | 0 | 1 | 1,115,323 |
| Dallas | A | 360 | 5 | 1,409,301 |
| Fort Worth | A | 168 | 5 | 962,634 |
Recommended Water Filters for Austin
Based on contaminants detected in Austin's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)
- Removes: Chloramines
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
- Recommended products:
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
- Berkey Travel
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Austin
Water quality varies across Austin's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78734 | 79 | B | 3 | 1 |
| 78744 | 79 | B | 3 | 1 |
| 78745 | 79 | B | 3 | 1 |
| 78747 | 79 | B | 3 | 1 |
| 78701 | 84 | B | 3 | 1 |
| 78703 | 84 | B | 3 | 1 |
| 78704 | 84 | B | 3 | 1 |
| 78719 | 84 | B | 3 | 1 |
| 78721 | 84 | B | 3 | 1 |
| 78723 | 84 | B | 3 | 1 |
| 78799 | 98 | A | 3 | 1 |
| 78798 | 98 | A | 3 | 1 |
| 78789 | 98 | A | 3 | 1 |
| 78788 | 98 | A | 3 | 1 |
| 78785 | 98 | A | 3 | 1 |
Common Questions About Austin Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Austin, Texas:
Is Austin water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Austin's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Austin tap water? Austin's water receives a grade of A (92/100). There are 80 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Austin? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, whole-house or under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Austin vs. Texas Average
Understanding how Austin 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 Austin.
ZIP Codes in Austin
Austin spans 80 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 73301. 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.