Water Quality: Athens, TX
26 water systems • 37,381 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Athens is served by 26 public water systems with a combined service population of 37,381 people, and has 1,150 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 155 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Athens's violation count is 441% above the national average for Texas. Contaminants associated with violations include Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Stage 2 DBP, TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
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)
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)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Athens
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF ATHENS | TX1070005 | Surface Water | 17,934 | 100 |
| VIRGINIA HILL WSC | TX1070200 | Groundwater | 4,290 | 4 |
| CRESCENT HEIGHTS WSC | TX1070016 | Groundwater | 2,379 | 5 |
| LAKESHORE UTILITY | TX1070043 | Groundwater | 1,446 | 10 |
| DIXIE ISLE WATER SYSTEM | TX1070041 | Groundwater | 1,083 | 103 |
| BETHEL ASH WSC WATER EDGE PLANT | TX1070251 | Groundwater | 987 | 4 |
| BETHEL ASH WSC MURPHY PLANT | TX1070242 | Groundwater | 834 | 4 |
| BETHEL ASH WSC LAKE PLANT | TX1070258 | Groundwater | 831 | 1 |
| BETHEL ASH WSC WALTON PLANT | TX1070243 | Groundwater | 801 | 24 |
| BETHEL ASH WSC LOWE PLANT | TX1070240 | Groundwater | 786 | 0 |
| C R C WSC | TX1070228 | Groundwater | 723 | 64 |
| POINT LA VISTA | TX1070207 | Groundwater | 708 | 79 |
| BETHEL ASH WSC MCATEE PLANT | TX1070241 | Groundwater | 609 | 0 |
| CLEAR CREEK RESORT WATER SYSTEM | TX1070007 | Groundwater | 541 | 62 |
| OAKWOOD SUBDIVISION WATER SYSTEM | TX1070217 | Groundwater | 522 | 24 |
| BETHEL ASH WSC HALL PLANT | TX1070239 | Groundwater | 498 | 0 |
| BETHEL ASH WSC OTT PLANT | TX1070255 | Groundwater | 402 | 0 |
| EAST LAKE WOODS | TX2120097 | Groundwater | 381 | 78 |
| BETHEL ASH WSC DOUGLAS PLANT | TX1070238 | Groundwater | 372 | 2 |
| BETHEL ASH WSC HAWN PLANT | TX1070248 | Groundwater | 363 | 1 |
| CEDARVIEW ESTATES | TX1070144 | Surface Water | 228 | 182 |
| BETHEL ASH WSC BETHEL PLANT | TX1070034 | Groundwater | 186 | 2 |
| THE RESERVE | TX2120107 | Groundwater | 177 | 143 |
| LAKE VISTA VILLAGE | TX1070181 | Groundwater | 174 | 93 |
| ESQUIRE ESTATES II | TX1070215 | Surface Water | 126 | 146 |
| ATHENS MUNICIPAL WATER AUTHORITY | TX1070252 | Surface Water | 0 | 19 |
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.