El Paso, Texas Tap Water Quality Report
Serving utility: El Paso Water Utilities
Updated March 2026 • Data from EWG Tap Water Database & EPA SDWIS
High Priority Concerns
El Paso tap water has 18 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines, including Arsenic, Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs). Additionally, 19 known or suspected carcinogens were detected, including Arsenic, Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs).
Water Provider Information
Contaminants Detected
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EWG Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic carcinogen | 4.07 ppb | 0.00 ppb | 10 ppb | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen | 18.10 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen | 21.20 ppb | 0.15 ppb | 80 ppb | Above guideline |
| Chromium (hexavalent) carcinogen | 2.40 ppb | 0.02 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Bromochloroacetic acid | 2.14 ppb | 0.02 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Bromodichloromethane carcinogen | 4.69 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen | 6.98 ppb | 0.10 ppb | 60 ppb | Above guideline |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 1.88 ppb | 0.03 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dibromochloromethane carcinogen | 5.48 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Bromate carcinogen | 1.34 ppb | 0.10 ppb | 10 ppb | Above guideline |
| Trichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 1.31 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 2.31 ppb | 0.20 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Chloroform carcinogen | 4.19 ppb | 0.40 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Nitrate carcinogen | 0.92 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Above guideline |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) | 0.33 pCi/L | 0.05 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Above guideline |
| Uranium carcinogen | 2.46 pCi/L | 0.43 pCi/L | 20 pCi/L | Above guideline |
| Bromoform carcinogen | 2.50 ppb | 0.50 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Nitrate and nitrite carcinogen | 0.39 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Above guideline |
| 1,4-Dioxane carcinogen | 0.01 ppb | 0.35 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| 4-bromo-1,2-dimethylbenzene carcinogen | 1.10 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Aluminum | 1.05 ppb | 600 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Barium | 60 ppb | 700 ppb | 2,000 ppb | Below guideline |
| Chlorate | 28.30 ppb | 210 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Chlorite | 1.40 ppb | 50 ppb | 1,000 ppb | Below guideline |
| Chromium (total) | 2.12 ppb | N/A | 100 ppb | Below guideline |
| Ethanethiol | 0.80 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Ethylbenzene carcinogen | 0.01 ppb | 300 ppb | 700 ppb | Below guideline |
| Fluoride | 0.52 ppm | N/A | 4 ppm | Below guideline |
| Germanium | 0.14 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Isooctyl alcohol | 1.05 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Lithium | 56.60 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Manganese | 7.48 ppb | 100 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Mercury (inorganic) | 0.13 ppb | 1.20 ppb | 2 ppb | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum | 5.92 ppb | 40 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Monobromoacetic acid | 0.28 ppb | 25 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Monochloroacetic acid | 1.20 ppb | 53 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Oxyfluorfen | 0.00 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | 0.14 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | 0.36 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) carcinogen | 0.11 ppt | 0.30 ppt | 4 ppt | Below guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) | 0.53 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Permethrin | 0.00 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Picloram | 0.01 ppb | 166 ppb | 500 ppb | Below guideline |
| Selenium | 1.12 ppb | 30 ppb | 50 ppb | Below guideline |
| Strontium | 0.89 ppb | 1,500 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Vanadium | 9.79 ppb | 21 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Xylenes (total) | 0.08 ppb | 1,800 ppb | 10,000 ppb | Below guideline |
Health Context
Arsenic carcinogen
Long-term exposure increases risk of skin cancer, bladder cancer, and lung cancer; chronic exposure causes neurological effects and cardiovascular disease.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Chromium (hexavalent) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Bromochloroacetic acid
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Recommended Filtration for This Water
Echo RO System
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Filters water at every tap in your home. Reduces chlorine, VOCs, and disinfection byproducts from your shower, bath, and kitchen water.
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Shop Hydrogen FlaskFrequently Asked Questions
Is El Paso tap water safe to drink?
El Paso tap water meets EPA legal standards for drinking water. However, 18 contaminants exceed stricter EWG health guidelines, and 19 known carcinogens were detected. While legally compliant, additional filtration is recommended for optimal safety.
What contaminants are in El Paso water?
A total of 47 contaminants were detected in El Paso tap water, including Arsenic, Haloacetic acids (HAA9). Of these, 18 exceed EWG health guidelines.
What's the best water filter for El Paso?
For El Paso tap water, we recommend a reverse osmosis (RO) system for drinking water — it removes up to 99.9% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, and disinfection byproducts. For shower and bath water, a whole-home filtration system reduces chlorine and volatile organics.
Where does El Paso get its water?
El Paso tap water is provided by El Paso Water Utilities, serving approximately 747,168 people. For detailed source water information, contact your local utility or visit the EPA's SDWIS database.
Nearby City Water Reports
Data sources: Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database, U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Last updated: March 2026
Methodology: Contaminant levels are compared against both EPA legal limits (Maximum Contaminant Levels) and EWG health guidelines, which are often stricter and based on the latest scientific research.
