Austin, TX (78738): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems
EPA data combined for 14 water systems mapped to this ZIP (largest mapped system: West Travis County Public Utility Agency)
Health-based violation records by water system:
- City of Austin Water & Wastewater (1)
- West Travis County Public Utility Agency (1)
- TX2270379 (1)
- TX2270417 (1)
EPA records for the water systems mapped to 78738 in Austin, TX contain 16 recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026, all mapped systems combined; 4 are marked health-based.
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SDWIS
At a Glance
- Water EPA records for water systems mapped to this ZIP show 4 health-based violations and 12 non-health-based (since 2021).
- Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result of 0.0012 mg/L is below the EPA action level for water systems; EPA's health goal for lead is zero.
- PFAS At least one PFAS result is above an EPA MCL value (UCMR5 sampling; MCL compliance required from 2029).
- Radon EPA Zone 3 - county-level radon potential, not evidence of a low home result.
- Flood 2 cumulative NFIP claim records. Claim evidence is historical, not current map coverage.
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The critical alert on record for 78738 in Austin stands alone - no high-priority findings appear in the same compiled data.
Score Breakdown
Overall Home Safety Score: Score unavailable
Required evidence is missing. Missing values remain unknown and are not imputed or renormalized.
The score is withheld for this ZIP: a water system serving it has EPA UCMR5 PFAS results above the value of an EPA PFAS MCL (with compliance required from 2029), and the current score input does not include that system. We will show the score again once it is recalculated with that system's PFAS results included.
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Coverage: 4 of 4 components and 3 of 3 domains observed.
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Safety & Health (8) CRITICAL
Your Water System
ZIP code 78738 in Austin, Texas is mapped to the water system West Travis County Public Utility Agency (EPA ID: TX2270235). This system provides water to approximately 35,664 people from surface water sources.
There are 14 community water systems serving this area.
Lead & Copper in Your Water
The EPA requires water systems to monitor lead and copper levels under the Lead and Copper Rule.
| Metal | Measured Level | EPA Action Level | Status | Sample Date or Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Action-level exceedance on record | 1.3 mg/L | Exceeds action level | Not present in ZipCheckup accepted source data |
Water Systems Serving This Area
| System Name | EPA ID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Travis County Public Utility Agency | TX2270235 | 35,664 | Surface water |
| Travis County Wcid 17 | TX2270027 | 45,165 | Surface water |
| Hurst Creek Municipal Utility District | TX2270172 | 2,880 | Surface water |
| Senna Hills Municipal Utility District | TX2270316 | 1,215 | Surface water |
| Travis County Municipal Utility District 12 | TX2270398 | 1,644 | Surface water |
Other Water Quality Reports in Texas
- 73301 (Austin)
- 73344 (Austin)
- 73960 (Texhoma)
- 75001 (Addison) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 75002 (Allen) - 14 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 75006 (Carrollton) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 75007 (Carrollton) - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 75009 (Celina) - 18 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 75010 (Carrollton) - 1 violation recorded for mapped water systems
- 75011 (Carrollton)
- 75013 (Allen)
- 75014 (Irving)
- 75015 (Irving)
- 75016 (Irving)
- 75017 (Irving)
- 75019 (Coppell) - 5 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 75020 (Denison) - 38 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 75021 (Denison) - 30 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 75022 (Flower Mound) - 18 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 75023 (Plano)
Nearby Water Quality Reports
- 78734 (Austin) - 3 mi - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 78732 (Austin) - 6 mi - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 78669 (Spicewood) - 6 mi - 49 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 78733 (Austin) - 7 mi - 11 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 78736 (Austin) - 7 mi - 7 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 78716 (Austin) - 7 mi
- 78645 (Leander) - 8 mi - 44 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 78737 (Austin) - 9 mi - 20 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 78730 (Austin) - 10 mi - 6 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 78746 (Austin) - 10 mi - 22 violations recorded for mapped water systems
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for West Travis County Public Utility Agency (TX2270235) on EPA.gov.
4 of the top compounds applied across the surrounding county in USGS pesticide-use estimates appear on EPA drinking-water monitoring lists. See the agricultural pesticide-use section.
PFAS Contamination Detected
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with ZIP code 78738. One or more compound results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029.
Detected compounds: PFBA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFBS, PFPeA, PFHxA.
Highest measured level: 0.0099 µg/L
Reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon block filters can reduce PFAS at the tap. Certifications list the compounds covered: an NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 claim for PFOA/PFOS does not cover every PFAS, so check that the product lists the compounds detected here.
Health Risks from Detected Contaminants
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)
High RiskEPA reference value: 0.08 mg/L · 1 violation on record
Long-term exposure is associated with increased cancer risk, including bladder cancer; possible reproductive effects
At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water
Treatment options (verify a product is certified to reduce this contaminant): granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration · Find a filter →
Environmental Hazards (11) MODERATE
Home & Infrastructure (7) OK
Cost & Community (9) HIGH
CPSC product recall notices
These national notices are not matched to this ZIP code or water system.
Protect Your Home in Austin
Based on local data for ZIP 78738, these services may benefit homeowners in your area.
Based on local data for your area. Use the tools below to explore your options.
Home & Flood Insurance
The ZIP code for this report in Austin has 2 FEMA flood claims on record. Standard homeowner policies don't cover flood damage - make sure you're protected.
Typical cost: Flood insurance: premiums vary by property and flood zone; request a quote
Check Your Flood Zone (Free)FEMA flood map lookup - see if your property is in a flood zone
Free tip: Check your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov (free lookup)
Roofing Inspection & Repair
Active weather alerts in Texas increase the risk of roof damage from hail and high winds. A professional inspection can identify vulnerabilities.
Typical cost: Roof inspection: typically $75–$300; repairs $300–$1,500
Estimate Your Home Insurance NeedsService recommendations are based on public data for this ZIP code (FEMA, Census ACS, NWS). Actual needs vary by property. By calling, your information will be shared with an independent service provider. ZipCheckup may receive compensation. Cost estimates are approximate and vary by property, condition, and contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water in 78738 safe to drink?
EPA SDWIS records 16 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 78738 (primary system: West Travis County Public Utility Agency), including 4 health-based. The violation table above shows which system each record belongs to. ZipCheckup last updated this page in July 2026. The federal source release date is unavailable, so that month is not presented as source currency.
Where does 78738's water come from?
The recorded water source for West Travis County Public Utility Agency, a system mapped to ZIP code 78738, is Surface water. This system serves approximately 35,664 people.
How can I get my water tested in Austin?
If West Travis County Public Utility Agency supplies your home, contact it for its Consumer Confidence Report; otherwise contact the water utility that serves your address, or hire a certified lab for independent home water testing. The EPA recommends annual testing if you use a private well.
Is lead a concern in 78738 tap water?
The Lead and Copper Rule record selected for 78738 reports a 90th-percentile lead result of 0.00122 mg/L for a water system mapped to this ZIP (record date 2025-12-31). The EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L. This result is below the EPA action level; it does not show the lead level in each home.
What is the radon risk for 78738?
78738 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 3 (low county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Travis County. EPA radon zones range from Zone 1 (highest county-level potential) to Zone 3 (lowest). Testing your home is recommended regardless of zone.
Are there PFAS (forever chemicals) in 78738's water?
Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 78738. One or more PFAS results are above the level of a federal PFAS MCL with compliance required from 2029. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 specifically for PFOA/PFOS reduction can reduce PFAS.
What does the NFIP claim history show for ZIP 78738?
FEMA records contain 2 flood insurance claims filed in ZIP code 78738; the recorded rated-zone value (the most frequent one if there are several claims) is X, which is claims evidence and may differ from the current FEMA map zone for a property. Claim records do not establish current property risk. Review FEMA's map for the specific property.
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (2026). Austin, TX (78738): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems. https://zipcheckup.com/report/78738/
@misc{zipcheckup-report-78738,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Austin, TX (78738): PFAS Detected in Mapped Water Systems}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/78738/}
}
Page version: October 2026.
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 78738
| ZIP Code | City, State | Distance | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78734 | Austin, TX | 3.5 mi | A | 2 |
| 78732 | Austin, TX | 5.7 mi | B | 2 |
| 78669 | Spicewood, TX | 5.8 mi | N/A | 49 |
| 78733 | Austin, TX | 6.9 mi | A | 11 |
| 78736 | Austin, TX | 7.3 mi | B | 7 |
| 78716 | Austin, TX | 7.5 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 78645 | Leander, TX | 8.0 mi | B | 44 |
| 78737 | Austin, TX | 8.8 mi | C | 20 |
| 78730 | Austin, TX | 9.6 mi | B | 6 |
| 78746 | Austin, TX | 10.1 mi | C | 22 |
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