Water Quality in Houston, TX: 1183 Violations - Grade N/A

Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)

Water Quality Overview

Houston, Texas has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 97 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 1183 violations, including 31 health-based violations across 97 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.

Lead Levels

The average 90th percentile lead level across Houston water systems is 0.0056 mg/L - within EPA limits. 1 ZIP code exceed the EPA lead action level.

With 56% of homes built before 1986, Houston 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 Houston

Houston is served by 154 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 3,206,570 people across 190 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 596 enforcement actions against water systems serving Houston. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.

How to Check Your Water in Houston

1. Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history

2. Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants

3. 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

4. Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics

5. Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts

Contaminants Detected in Houston Water Systems

The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Houston's water systems:

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 Houston:

Violations have increased from 2 in 2021 to 7 in 2026. This trend warrants monitoring.

EPA Enforcement History

The EPA and state regulators have taken 188 enforcement actions against water systems serving Houston. Recent actions:

Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-06-16.

Houston vs. Nearby Texas Cities

How Houston's water quality compares to similar cities in Texas:

Recommended Water Filters for Houston

Based on contaminants detected in Houston's water supply, these filter types are recommended:

Reverse Osmosis (under-sink)

• Removes: Arsenic
• Effectiveness: 90-99%
• Cost range: $150–$500
• Certification: NSF/ANSI 58
• Recommended products:
  • Waterdrop G3P800
  • iSpring RCC7AK
  • Crystal Quest Arsenic Filter

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, under-sink or whole-house)

• Removes: Atrazine, Haloacetic Acids
• Effectiveness: 85-99%
• Cost range: $100–$800
• Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
• Recommended products:
  • Aquasana AQ-5200
  • Berkey
  • Aquasana EQ-1000 Rhino

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 Houston

EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Houston's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:

Common Questions About Houston Water

These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Houston, Texas:

Is Houston water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Houston's 154 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.

Can I drink Houston tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 31 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.

What is the best water filter for Houston? Based on detected contaminants, a reverse osmosis (under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.

Houston vs. Texas Average

Understanding how Houston 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 Houston.

ZIP Codes in Houston

Houston spans 190 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 97 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.