Water Quality in Mcallen, TX: 26 Violations - Grade N/A
4 water systems · 3 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 26 violations across 3 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Mcallen. 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 Mcallen
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78503 | 26 | 1 | View report → |
| 78501 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 78504 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Mcallen, Texas has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 3 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 26 violations, including 1 health-based violation across 3 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Mcallen water systems is 0.0023 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 3 ZIP records with known lead status.
Water Systems Serving Mcallen
Mcallen is served by 4 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 143,477 people across 5 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 14 enforcement actions against water systems serving Mcallen. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Mcallen
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 Mcallen Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Mcallen's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 5 | 3 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 2 | 1 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
| Atrazine | Organic | 0.003 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
| Benzene | Organic | 0.005 mg/L | 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 Mcallen. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-04-08 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-03-26 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-06-06 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-06-06 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-05-28 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-05-20 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-04-08 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-03-31 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-03-31 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-09-05 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-04-08.
Mcallen vs. Nearby Texas Cities
How Mcallen's water quality compares to similar cities in Texas:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mcallen | 3 | 26 | 4 | 143,477 |
| Pasadena | 6 | 7 | 8 | 145,290 |
| Beaumont | 8 | 114 | 8 | 141,516 |
| Pearland | 2 | 61 | 8 | 141,219 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Mcallen
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Mcallen's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
Common Questions About Mcallen Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Mcallen, Texas:
Is Mcallen water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Mcallen's 4 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Mcallen tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 1 health-based violation; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Mcallen? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Mcallen vs. Texas Average
Understanding how Mcallen 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 Mcallen.
ZIP Codes in Mcallen
Mcallen spans 5 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 3 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.