Health Violations Found TX 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

San Antonio Water System

EPA ID: TX0150018 · 2,113,151 people served · 108 ZIP codes

EPA records: San Antonio Water System, 2 past violations, all resolved, 2,113,151 served.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

A · 91
Avg Safety Score
2,113,151
People Served
108
ZIP Codes Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0016 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 3
Radon Risk · Low
2
Contaminants Flagged
$222K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 33 (2021) to 12 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for San Antonio Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade A

Service Area Demographics

$71,263
Median Household Income
2,241,984
Service Area Population
45%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
39th
Energy Burden Percentile
43%
Pre-1986 Housing

The San Antonio Water System serves a community with a median household income of $71,263 and an estimated 2,241,984 residents across its service area. Approximately 43% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 45% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

San Antonio Water System's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
22th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
65th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Bexar County, Texas rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 65th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

41 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
26 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 61% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How San Antonio Water System compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Total Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 234 detections recorded. 5 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

State limits: PFOA: 0.07 ppt, PFOS: 0.07 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Texas

Dallas Water Utility
1,356,479 people
A 3 violations
City of Houston
2,970,543 people
A 8 violations
A 4 violations
City of Fort Worth
955,900 people
A 3 violations
A 38 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,038
PFAS Treatment $362
Water Filtration $272
Total Estimated Cost $1,672

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,672 (one-time) vs. $5,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

SAN ANTONIO WATER SYSTEM (EPA ID: TX0150018) is a community water system in Texas that serves approximately 2,113,151 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 108 ZIP codes across 22 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: A (91/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. All violations have been resolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
February 23, 2024 Total Coliform Monitoring Resolved
January 28, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Health-based Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Total Coliform Microbiological 1 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 Yes

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
78201 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78202 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78203 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78204 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78205 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78206 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78207 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78208 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78209 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78210 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78211 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78212 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78213 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78214 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78215 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78216 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78217 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78218 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78219 0.0016 mg/L No N/A
78220 0.0016 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 79 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 29 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

This system serves 108 ZIP codes:

78002 · 78006 · 78009 · 78015 · 78023 78039 · 78050 · 78052 · 78054 · 78064 78065 · 78066 · 78069 · 78073 · 78101 78108 · 78109 · 78112 · 78132 · 78152 78154 · 78201 · 78202 · 78203 · 78204 78205 · 78206 · 78207 · 78208 · 78209 78210 · 78211 · 78212 · 78213 · 78214 78215 · 78216 · 78217 · 78218 · 78219 78220 · 78221 · 78222 · 78223 · 78224 78225 · 78226 · 78227 · 78228 · 78229 78230 · 78231 · 78232 · 78233 · 78234 78235 · 78236 · 78237 · 78238 · 78239 78240 · 78241 · 78242 · 78243 · 78244 78245 · 78246 · 78247 · 78248 · 78249 78250 · 78251 · 78252 · 78253 · 78254 78255 · 78256 · 78257 · 78258 · 78259 78260 · 78261 · 78263 · 78264 · 78265 78266 · 78268 · 78269 · 78270 · 78278 78279 · 78280 · 78283 · 78284 · 78285 78286 · 78287 · 78288 · 78289 · 78291 78292 · 78293 · 78294 · 78295 · 78296 78297 · 78298 · 78299

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for San Antonio Water System (TX0150018) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Antonio Water System water safe to drink?

San Antonio Water System has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does San Antonio Water System serve?

San Antonio Water System serves approximately 2,113,151 people across 108 ZIP codes in Texas.

Where does San Antonio Water System get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
210-233-3546
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Contact information from San Antonio Water System Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Groundwater
Drawn from underground aquifers via wells.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorine

Source: San Antonio Water System Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Standard
Disinfection plus one or more treatment additives — typically corrosion control, pH adjustment, or fluoridation. Standard regime for utilities serving treated municipal water.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from San Antonio Water System Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
2378
Detections
6
Latest sample
11/25/2024
Highest analyte
PFBA: 9.2 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBA 9.2 ppt
PFBS 3.8 ppt
PFPeA 3.2 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

PFAS Substances Detected in This System

This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.

Substance Detected level EPA limit Status
PFBS
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
Component of EPA Hazard Index — combined exposure assessed against unitless threshold of 1.0.
3.8 ppt No federal limit set

In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →

Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by San Antonio Water System.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.

Learn more about PFAS health effects and filtration →

Lead service line replacement plan from San Antonio Water System Consumer Confidence Report:
SAWS is offering a free water service line inspection for all eligible customers through Project Lead. Eligibility is based on the year the customer’s house was built and if their current water service line status is “unknown.” Homes built prior to 1989 and have not completed any service line inspection will be eligible.

Lead Service Line Replacement Tracker

This water utility's lead service line (LSL) replacement program is tracked from public Consumer Confidence Report filings. Email signup notifies subscribers when the utility files an updated replacement plan or progress milestone.

Get notified on replacement progress

Subscribers receive an email when this utility updates its LSL plan, files a milestone report, or adjusts replacement timelines. No marketing, no third-party sharing.

By submitting you agree to Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime via the link in any email.

San Antonio Water System

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. LSL replacement-program data is sourced from public CCR filings published by the utility. Subscription notifications are based on automated parsing of subsequent CCR releases.

Learn more about Lead and Copper Rule replacement requirements →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
43
Galvanized — Replacement Required
346,335
Unknown Material
258,579
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,113,151
Reported to Texas

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from San Antonio Water System safe to drink?
San Antonio Water System earns a A safety grade with 2 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in San Antonio Water System's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Coliform, Stage 1 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does San Antonio Water System serve?
San Antonio Water System serves approximately 2,113,151 people with drinking water across 108 ZIP codes.
What is San Antonio Water System's water source?
San Antonio Water System draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in San Antonio Water System's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0016 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of San Antonio Water System's service area?
The San Antonio Water System service area has a median household income of $71,263. EPA EJScreen data classifies 45% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does San Antonio Water System get its water?
San Antonio Water System's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

San Antonio Water System (EPA ID: TX0150018) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Texas San Antonio Water System

Get safety alerts for San Antonio Water System, Texas

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.