Water Quality in Crystal City, TX: 4 Violations — Grade A
Grade A · Score 85/100 · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-05-03
Crystal City's water meets all EPA standards with no health-based violations.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
Crystal City, TX has 4 violations in the EPA compliance history — breakdown below.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Crystal City
Water quality varies across Crystal City's 1 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78839 | A | 85 | 4 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Crystal City, Texas receives a water quality grade of A with an overall score of 85 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 2 water systems serving Crystal City have accumulated 4 EPA violations (all monitoring/reporting type). These violations are tracked across 1 ZIP codes serving approximately 7,778 people.
What Grade A Means
A grade of A indicates excellent compliance with EPA drinking water standards. Crystal City's water systems have maintained strong performance in both contaminant monitoring and regulatory compliance.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Crystal City water systems is 0.0006 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 66% of homes built before 1986, Crystal 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 Crystal City
Crystal City is served by 2 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 7,778 people across 1 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 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving Crystal City. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Crystal 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 Crystal City Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Crystal City's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 2 | 1 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 0.015 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 1 | 1 | 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 Crystal City. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2024-09-12 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-09-05 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-04-24 | State Informal Action |
| 2023-10-30 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-10-26 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-10-16 | State Informal Action |
| 2023-10-13 | State Order Extension |
| 2023-03-21 | State Informal Action |
| 2023-03-21 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2022-04-13 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2024-09-12.
Crystal City vs. Nearby Texas Cities
How Crystal City's water quality compares to similar cities in Texas:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal City | A | 4 | 2 | 7,778 |
| Hawley | A | 0 | 1 | 7,830 |
| Nolanville | B | 4 | 1 | 7,836 |
| Kamay | C | 0 | 1 | 7,710 |
Common Questions About Crystal City Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Crystal City, Texas:
Is Crystal City water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Crystal City's 2 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Crystal City tap water? Crystal City's water receives a grade of A (85/100). No health-based violations have been recorded, but home testing is always recommended.
What is the best water filter for Crystal City? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Crystal City vs. Texas Average
Understanding how Crystal 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 Crystal City.
ZIP Codes in Crystal City
Crystal City spans 1 ZIP code. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 78839. 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.