Water Quality in New Braunfels, TX: 196 Violations - Grade N/A
7 water systems · 2 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 196 violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for New Braunfels. 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 New Braunfels
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78132 | 191 | 63 | View report → |
| 78130 | 13 | 3 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
New Braunfels, 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 196 violations, including 66 health-based violations across 2 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across New Braunfels water systems is 0.0028 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 2 ZIP records with known lead status.
Water Systems Serving New Braunfels
New Braunfels is served by 7 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 136,170 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 New Braunfels. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in New Braunfels
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 New Braunfels Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across New Braunfels's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 55 | 1 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 50 | 2 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 7 | 2 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 5 | 2 | Yes |
| E. coli | Microbiological | N/A | 5 | 1 | Yes |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 4 | 2 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 4 | 2 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 3 | 1 | No |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 2 | 2 | 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 12 enforcement actions against water systems serving New Braunfels. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-06-18 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-04-22 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-04-17 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-03-26 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-03-12 | State Order Extension |
| 2026-03-09 | State Informal Action |
| 2026-03-09 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-11-19 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-11-06 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-11-04 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-06-18.
New Braunfels vs. Nearby Texas Cities
How New Braunfels's water quality compares to similar cities in Texas:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Braunfels | 2 | 196 | 7 | 136,170 |
| Abilene | 6 | 110 | 11 | 135,187 |
| College Station | 2 | 8 | 5 | 137,703 |
| Carrollton | 3 | 3 | 6 | 134,385 |
Recommended Water Filters for New Braunfels
Based on contaminants detected in New Braunfels's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Trihalomethane (TTHM)
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house or under-sink)
- Removes: Chlorine
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 42
- Recommended products:
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Waterdrop Chubby Pitcher
- Berkey Travel
Common Questions About New Braunfels Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in New Braunfels, Texas:
Is New Braunfels water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. New Braunfels's 7 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink New Braunfels tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 66 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for New Braunfels? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, whole-house poe) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
New Braunfels vs. Texas Average
Understanding how New Braunfels 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 New Braunfels.
ZIP Codes in New Braunfels
New Braunfels 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.