Water Quality in Bay City, TX: 76 Violations — Grade C
Grade C · Score 69/100 · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Bay City's water has moderate compliance issues. Residents in affected areas should consider filtration.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
The compliance record maintained by the EPA for Bay City, TX documents 76 water violations — each tied to a specific public water system and assigned a violation category in the federal Safe Drinking Water dataset.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Bay City
Water quality varies across Bay City's 2 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77414 | C | 61 | 38 | 8 | View report → |
| 77404 | B | 76 | 38 | 8 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Bay City.
Water Quality Overview
Bay City, Texas receives a water quality grade of C with an overall score of 69 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 3 water systems serving Bay City have accumulated 76 EPA violations, including 16 health-based violations. These violations are tracked across 2 ZIP codes serving approximately 18,527 people.
What Grade C Means
A grade of C indicates moderate compliance issues. Bay City's water systems have some violations that warrant attention. While the water may still be safe for most people, residents in affected ZIP codes should consider additional testing or filtration.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Bay City water systems is 0.0026 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 68% of homes built before 1986, Bay City 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 Bay City
Bay City is served by 3 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 18,527 people across 2 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 20 enforcement actions against water systems serving Bay City. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Bay City
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 Bay City Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Bay City's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 28 | 2 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 20 | 2 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 mg/L | 12 | 2 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 6 | 2 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 4 | 2 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 4 | 2 | Yes |
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 Bay City:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 | 6 |
| 2024 | 6 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 |
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 Bay City. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-09-19 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-09-19 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-09-09 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-09-03 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-09-03 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-05-28 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-04-09 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-03-31 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-03-31 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-03-21 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-09-19.
Bay City vs. Nearby Texas Cities
How Bay City's water quality compares to similar cities in Texas:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay City | C | 76 | 3 | 18,527 |
| Tomball | B | 4 | 5 | 18,491 |
| Chappell Hill | B | 0 | 1 | 18,469 |
| Mount Vernon | A | 2 | 4 | 18,457 |
Common Questions About Bay City Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Bay City, Texas:
Is Bay City water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Bay City's 3 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Bay City tap water? Bay City's water receives a grade of C (69/100). There are 16 health-based violations — consider filtration.
What is the best water filter for Bay City? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Bay City vs. Texas Average
Understanding how Bay City 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 Bay City.
ZIP Codes in Bay City
Bay City spans 2 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 77404. 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.