Water Quality in Austin, TX: 138 Violations - Grade N/A
46 water systems · 44 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 138 violations across 44 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Austin. 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 Austin
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78724 | 44 | 6 | View report → |
| 78725 | 38 | 5 | View report → |
| 78719 | 27 | 1 | View report → |
| 78748 | 23 | 4 | View report → |
| 78746 | 22 | 2 | View report → |
| 78737 | 20 | 3 | View report → |
| 78738 | 16 | 4 | View report → |
| 78739 | 13 | 2 | View report → |
| 78733 | 11 | 1 | View report → |
| 78735 | 11 | 2 | View report → |
| 78754 | 11 | 5 | View report → |
| 78736 | 7 | 2 | View report → |
| 78730 | 6 | 1 | View report → |
| 78728 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 78744 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Austin.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 41 | 41 |
| 2024 | 3 | 3 |
| 2025 | 17 | 17 |
Water Quality Overview
Austin, Texas has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 44 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 138 violations, including 14 health-based violations across 44 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Austin water systems is 0.0014 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 44 ZIP records with known lead status.
Water Systems Serving Austin
Austin is served by 46 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 1,157,348 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 329 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 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 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 | 52 | 43 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 30 | 12 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 27 | 17 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 22 | 7 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 20 | 9 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 19 | 9 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 13 | 10 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | N/A | 9 | 4 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 8 | 4 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 6 | 6 | No |
| Copper | Inorganic | 1.3 mg/L | 4 | 2 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 mg/L | 3 | 3 | No |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 0.005 mg/L | 3 | 3 | No |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 0.1 mg/L | 3 | 3 | No |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 4 mg/L | 3 | 3 | 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 Austin:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 41 | 41 |
| 2024 | 3 | 3 |
| 2025 | 17 | 17 |
Violations have decreased from 41 in 2022 to 17 in 2025, indicating improving compliance.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 78 enforcement actions against water systems serving Austin. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-06-02 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-05-28 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-05-28 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-05-26 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-05-22 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-05-13 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-05-12 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-04-17 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-04-16 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-04-16 | State Informal Enforcement |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-06-02.
Austin vs. Nearby Texas Cities
How Austin's water quality compares to similar cities in Texas:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | 44 | 138 | 46 | 1,157,348 |
| Fort Worth | 32 | 334 | 37 | 982,017 |
| Dallas | 49 | 30 | 18 | 1,372,181 |
| El Paso | 22 | 43 | 11 | 815,636 |
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
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Austin's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 78724 | 44 | 6 |
| 78725 | 38 | 5 |
| 78719 | 27 | 1 |
| 78748 | 23 | 4 |
| 78746 | 22 | 2 |
| 78737 | 20 | 3 |
| 78738 | 16 | 4 |
| 78739 | 13 | 2 |
| 78733 | 11 | 1 |
| 78735 | 11 | 2 |
| 78754 | 11 | 5 |
| 78736 | 7 | 2 |
| 78730 | 6 | 1 |
| 78728 | 4 | 1 |
| 78744 | 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 46 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Austin tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 14 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
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. EPA water-system coverage is available for 44 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.