Austin, Texas Tap Water Quality Report
Serving utility: City of Austin Water & Wastewater
Updated March 2026 • Data from EWG Tap Water Database & EPA SDWIS
High Priority Concerns
Austin tap water has 14 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines, including Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Bromochloroacetic acid. Additionally, 12 known or suspected carcinogens were detected, including Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Bromodichloromethane.
Water Provider Information
Contaminants Detected
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EWG Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | 2.33 ppt | 0.00 ppt | 10 ppt | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen | 28.30 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Bromochloroacetic acid | 4.18 ppb | 0.02 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen | 31.40 ppb | 0.15 ppb | 80 ppb | Above guideline |
| Bromodichloromethane carcinogen | 10.10 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen | 10.40 ppb | 0.10 ppb | 60 ppb | Above guideline |
| Dibromochloromethane carcinogen | 10.20 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 2.83 ppb | 0.03 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 6.01 ppb | 0.20 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Chloroform carcinogen | 8.67 ppb | 0.40 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Trichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 1.57 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Chromium (hexavalent) carcinogen | 0.17 ppb | 0.02 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Bromoform carcinogen | 2.60 ppb | 0.50 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) carcinogen | 1.06 ppt | 0.30 ppt | 4 ppt | Above guideline |
| Barium | 11.50 ppb | 700 ppb | 2,000 ppb | Below guideline |
| Cyanide | 71.10 ppb | N/A | 200 ppb | Below guideline |
| Diquat | 0.20 ppb | 6 ppb | 20 ppb | Below guideline |
| Fluoride | 0.68 ppm | N/A | 4 ppm | Below guideline |
| Hexadecanoic acid | 7.67 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum | 1.79 ppb | 40 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Monochloroacetic acid | 0.03 ppb | 53 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Nitrate carcinogen | 0.11 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Near guideline |
| Octadecanoic acid | 4.40 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | 1.89 ppt | 2,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | 2.39 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | 0.70 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) | 1.57 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Strontium | 0.13 ppb | 1,500 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Vanadium | 3.33 ppb | 21 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
Health Context
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) 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.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Bromodichloromethane carcinogen
Bromodichloromethane is a trihalomethane (THM) disinfection byproduct that damages liver and kidneys with chronic exposure. EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen based on animal carcinogenicity data.
Recommended Filtration for This Water
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Shop Hydrogen FlaskFrequently Asked Questions
Is Austin tap water safe to drink?
Austin tap water meets EPA legal standards for drinking water. However, 14 contaminants exceed stricter EWG health guidelines, and 12 known carcinogens were detected. While legally compliant, additional filtration is recommended for optimal safety.
What contaminants are in Austin water?
A total of 29 contaminants were detected in Austin tap water, including Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Haloacetic acids (HAA9). Of these, 14 exceed EWG health guidelines.
What's the best water filter for Austin?
For Austin 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 Austin get its water?
Austin tap water is provided by City of Austin Water & Wastewater, serving approximately 1,115,323 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.
