Water System Report TX

Texas State University - San Marcos

EPA ID: TX1050003 · 43,552 people served · 2 ZIP codes

In the most recent five-year monitoring window, Texas State University - San Marcos posted zero EPA violations serving 43,552 residents.

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

43,552
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0
Contaminants Flagged

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 1 (2022) to 4 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Texas State University - San Marcos Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary

Service Area Demographics

$55,478
Median Household Income
87,775
Service Area Population
16%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
30th
Energy Burden Percentile
34%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Texas State University - San Marcos serves a community with a median household income of $55,478 and an estimated 87,775 residents across its service area.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Texas State University - San Marcos's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

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

Infrastructure Risk

40 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
28 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 59% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 7 detections recorded.

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

City of Sherman
43,645 people
B 4 violations
City of Coppell
43,193 people
A 1 violation
City of Friendswood
43,190 people
B 0 violations
Clwsc Canyon Lake Shores
44,196 people
B 17 violations
Town of Prosper
42,598 people
A 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,500
PFAS Treatment $500
Total Estimated Cost $2,000

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:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,000 (one-time) vs. $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

Texas State University - San Marcos (EPA ID: TX1050003) is a community water system in Texas that serves approximately 43,552 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 1 community.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

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: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Texas State University - San Marcos (TX1050003) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Texas State University - San Marcos water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Texas State University - San Marcos has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Texas State University - San Marcos serve?

Texas State University - San Marcos serves approximately 43,552 people across 2 ZIP codes in Texas.

Where does Texas State University - San Marcos get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
58

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 →

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

1
Confirmed Lead
15
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
74
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 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 43,552
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

Should I use a water filter?
Texas State University - San Marcos meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Texas State University - San Marcos serve?
Texas State University - San Marcos serves approximately 43,552 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Texas State University - San Marcos's water source?
Texas State University - San Marcos draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Texas State University - San Marcos's service area?
The Texas State University - San Marcos service area has a median household income of $55,478. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Texas State University - San Marcos get its water?
Texas State University - San Marcos's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
Home Water Systems Texas Texas State University - San Marcos

Get safety alerts for Texas State University - San Marcos, Texas

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

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Check your water filter options Free tool — no phone call required.