Water Quality in Harlingen, TX: 94 Violations - Grade N/A
8 water systems · 2 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 94 violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Harlingen. 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 Harlingen
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78552 | 59 | 17 | View report → |
| 78550 | 55 | 15 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Harlingen.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 | 3 |
Water Quality Overview
Harlingen, Texas has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 2 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 94 violations, including 29 health-based violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Harlingen water systems is 0.0008 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 2 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 45% of homes built before 1986, Harlingen 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 Harlingen
Harlingen is served by 8 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 95,446 people across 4 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 Harlingen. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Harlingen
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 Harlingen Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Harlingen's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 32 | 2 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 18 | 2 | Yes |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 17 | 2 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 12 | 2 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 6 | 2 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 6 | 2 | Yes |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 mg/L | 4 | 1 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 2 | 1 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | N/A | 1 | 1 | 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 Harlingen:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 |
| 2024 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 | 3 |
Violation counts have remained stable over the observed period.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 16 enforcement actions against water systems serving Harlingen. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-04-23 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-04-09 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-03-27 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-03-25 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-02-23 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-09 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-09 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-02-05 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-02-05 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-01-28 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-04-23.
Harlingen vs. Nearby Texas Cities
How Harlingen's water quality compares to similar cities in Texas:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harlingen | 2 | 94 | 8 | 95,446 |
| Temple | 3 | 32 | 9 | 93,254 |
| League City | 1 | 0 | 3 | 97,871 |
| Lillian | 1 | 46 | 3 | 99,735 |
Common Questions About Harlingen Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Harlingen, Texas:
Is Harlingen water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Harlingen's 8 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Harlingen tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 29 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Harlingen? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Harlingen vs. Texas Average
Understanding how Harlingen 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 Harlingen.
ZIP Codes in Harlingen
Harlingen spans 4 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 2 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.