Water Quality: Waco, TX
12 water systems • 168,024 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Waco is served by 12 public water systems with a combined service population of 168,024 people, and has 1,029 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 72 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Waco's violation count is 384% above the national average for Texas. Contaminants associated with violations include Barium, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Stage 2 DBP.
Contaminants Found
Increases blood pressure and causes cardiovascular effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Natural rock deposits, oil drilling operations, coal power plant waste
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
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
Water Systems Serving Waco
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF WACO | TX1550008 | Surface Water | 146,241 | 1 |
| TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE - WACO | TX1550138 | Surface Water | 6,533 | 20 |
| GHOLSON WSC | TX1550028 | Groundwater | 3,903 | 26 |
| CHALK BLUFF WSC | TX1550020 | Groundwater | 3,852 | 10 |
| WEST BRAZOS WSC | TX0730021 | Groundwater | 2,880 | 4 |
| SPRING VALLEY WSC | TX1550044 | Surface Water | 2,700 | 2 |
| PURE WSC | TX1550039 | Groundwater | 1,125 | 8 |
| MOORES WATER SYSTEM | TX1550127 | Groundwater | 285 | 757 |
| PATRICK WSC | TX1550134 | Groundwater | 220 | 3 |
| HERITAGE MINISTRIES | TX1550143 | Groundwater | 165 | 89 |
| COLETO CREEK MOBILE HOME PARK | TX2350035 | Groundwater | 120 | 109 |
| BRAZOS RIVER AUTHORITY GRANGER LAKE REGI | TX2460155 | Surface Water | 0 | 0 |
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.