Water Quality: Abilene, TX
6 water systems • 137,705 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Abilene is served by 6 public water systems with a combined service population of 137,705 people, and has 173 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 38 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Abilene's violation count is 19% below the national average for Texas. Contaminants associated with violations include Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Gross Alpha, Stage 2 DBP, TTHM.
Contaminants Found
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Abilene
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF ABILENE | TX2210001 | Surface Water | 125,182 | 15 |
| POTOSI WSC | TX2210008 | Surface Water | 7,413 | 57 |
| VIEW CAPS WSC | TX2210004 | Surface Water | 2,928 | 28 |
| HAMBY WSC | TX2210006 | Surface Water | 2,082 | 12 |
| NEW HORIZONS RANCH & CENTER | TX1670009 | Surface Water | 100 | 58 |
| WEST CENTRAL TEXAS MWD | TX2150023 | Surface Water | 0 | 3 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Texas
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.