Austin, TX Tap Water Quality Report (2026): Lake Travis PFAS, Chloramines & Hardness
Austin Water
Which filter fits Austin water?
Under-sink reverse osmosis
For extra PFAS and lead margin at the kitchen tap. EPA puts RO systems at about $150–$1,000 before cartridges and says to look for NSF/ANSI 58 (EPA filter guide).
See Waterdrop G3P800 → See APEC RO →FTC disclosure: product buttons are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come only from public Austin Water/EPA/USGS data. Disclosure.
Countertop reverse osmosis
No under-sink install. Check the maker's certification listing for the contaminants you care about before you buy (EPA filter guide).
See AquaTru Countertop →FTC disclosure: product buttons are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come only from public Austin Water/EPA/USGS data. Disclosure.
Whole-house filtration
Austin disinfects with chloramines (2025 average 2.3 ppm, limit 4) (Austin Water 2025 Water Quality Report). A whole-house system is a taste and sediment choice; it is not a substitute for a certified drinking-water filter.
See SpringWell Whole-House → See Aquasana Rhino →FTC disclosure: product buttons are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come only from public Austin Water/EPA/USGS data. Disclosure.
Austin decision table
| Option | Best for (and what to check) | Cost | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tap water as-is | Most Austin homes (watch for a galvanized service line notice; flush after water sits) | $0 | Check your ZIP |
| Carbon filter | Taste and chloramine odor (NSF/ANSI 53 listing for PFAS or lead claims) | $20–$1,000 (EPA) | See Aquasana → |
| Countertop RO | Renters (certification listing; cartridge cost) | See maker | See AquaTru → |
| Under-sink RO | Extra PFAS and lead margin (NSF/ANSI 58 listing; membrane cost) | $150–$1,000 (EPA) | See Waterdrop → |
FTC disclosure: product buttons are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come only from public Austin Water/EPA/USGS data. Disclosure.
How we graded Austin (transparent rubric)
Every deduction below comes from a public number with its source.
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Start | 100 |
| PFOS detected in 2 of 12 EPA UCMR 5 samples, highest 4.8 ppt (one result above the 4.0 ppt limit); four-quarter average 0.79 ppt. EPA judges compliance on running annual averages, so this is not a violation. | −5 |
| Other PFAS detected (PFBA up to 8.4 ppt, PFHxS 6.2, PFBS 5.1, PFPeA 4.1, PFHxA 3.3) | −3 |
| Lead detected at some taps (highest 5.1 ppb; 90th percentile under 1.0 ppb; goal is zero) | −3 |
| TTHM: highest location average 45.5 ppb vs 80 ppb limit | 0 |
| Lithium: not detected above EPA's 9 ppb reporting level | 0 |
| Moderately hard water, 61–120 mg/L (USGS); Austin averages 93 mg/L | −4 |
| Score | 85 = B |
Deduction rules (same as our San Antonio report): any PFOA or PFOS result above 4.0 ppt −5; other PFAS detected −3; lithium above EPA's 10 ppb health reference level −3; lead detected at the tap −3; TTHM above 80 ppb at any location −10; hardness moderately hard −4, hard −6, very hard −8. Scale: 93+ A, 90–92 A−, 87–89 B+, 83–86 B, 80–82 B−, 77–79 C+, 73–76 C, 70–72 C−, 67–69 D+, 63–66 D, 60–62 D−, below 60 F.
Sources: Austin Water 2025 Water Quality Report; Austin Water PFAS results; EPA UCMR 5 data (PWSID TX2270001, 2023–2024 sampling); USGS hardness scale; all accessed Oct 25, 2026.
Austin water, explained in plain English
PFOA not detected; PFOS averaged 0.79 ppt
EPA's enforceable limits are 4.0 ppt each for PFOA and PFOS, judged on running annual averages (EPA PFAS rule). Austin's 2023–2024 UCMR 5 results: PFOA not detected; PFOS found only in the second quarter, up to 4.8 ppt, averaging 0.79 ppt over four quarters. Austin Water says no extra treatment is needed now (Austin Water PFAS results).
90% of samples under 1.0 ppb
In 2024 tap sampling, 90% of results were under 1.0 ppb and none exceeded the 15 ppb action level; the highest was 5.1 ppb. Austin Water confirmed in October 2024 that its public system has no lead pipes, and offers free replacement of galvanized service lines that need it (Austin Water 2025 Water Quality Report).
TTHM 45.5 ppb, 5.4 gpg
Austin uses chloramines (2025 range 0.06–3.1 ppm). The highest TTHM location average was 45.5 ppb and HAA5 15.6 ppb, both under limits. Hardness averaged 93 mg/L (Austin Water 2025 Water Quality Report), which USGS calls moderately hard (USGS).
Free 6-Month Replacement Filter Reminder
Filter makers set replacement intervals for each cartridge, and an overdue cartridge stops doing its job. Pick your system and we will remind you at 6 months to check your maker's schedule.
What Does Filtered Water Cost in Austin?
- Ongoing cost never ends
- Use your store's real price below
- Look for NSF/ANSI 53 for PFAS
- Good for chloramine taste
- Look for NSF/ANSI 58 for PFAS
- Point-of-use: kitchen tap only
5-year cost calculator (starting values are examples only; enter your own)
Filter 5-yr cost = system price + (cartridge price × changes per year × 5). Bottled 5-yr cost = price per gallon × gallons per day × 365 × 5.
FTC disclosure: product buttons are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Grades come only from public Austin Water/EPA/USGS data. Disclosure.
Austin tap water checklist
- Look up your ZIP. Enter your ZIP in the CleanWaterGrade lookup. EPA UCMR 5 records list 48 ZIP codes served by Austin Water.
- Read the Austin Water report. Open Austin Water's annual water quality report and note lead, TTHM and any violations for the latest year.
- Check your service line. Austin Water says its public system has no lead pipes, but some galvanized lines need replacement. If you were notified, sign up for the free replacement.
- Flush before drinking. If water has sat for hours, run the tap, shower or do a load of laundry first, and use only cold water for drinking and cooking, as Austin Water advises.
- Pick a certified filter. For PFAS, EPA says look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58. For lead, Austin Water says use a filter certified by an ANSI-accredited certifier.
- Set a cartridge reminder. Replace cartridges on the maker's schedule; use the free 6-month reminder below.
Run the ZIP lookup → Related: San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, EPA PFAS limits explained, water hardness by ZIP, best RO systems.
Other Austin results worth knowing
- No E. coli in 2025 from more than 300 distribution samples a month; 12 Cryptosporidium source-water samples, none detected (Austin Water 2025 Water Quality Report).
- Fluoride averaged 0.66 ppm; nitrate 0.05 ppm average; 90% of 2024 copper samples under 0.008 ppm (Austin Water 2025 Water Quality Report).
- Austin Water uses powdered activated carbon for taste and odor and a copper sulfate system to protect intakes from zebra mussels (Austin Water 2025 Water Quality Report).
- EPA proposed in May 2026 to keep the 4.0 ppt PFOA/PFOS limits, let systems request until 2031 to comply, and rescind the limits for PFHxS, PFNA, GenX and the Hazard Index (EPA PFAS rule).
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FAQs
Is Austin tap water safe to drink?
Austin Water's 2025 report shows results within federal limits: highest TTHM average 45.5 ppb against an 80 ppb limit, no E. coli in more than 300 monthly samples, and 90% of 2024 lead samples under 1.0 ppb. One 2023–2024 PFOS sample hit 4.8 ppt, but the yearly average was 0.79 ppt.
Does Austin water have PFAS?
Trace amounts. In EPA UCMR 5 testing in 2023–2024, PFOA was not detected. PFOS was detected in 2 of 12 samples, with a high of 4.8 ppt and a four-quarter average of 0.79 ppt. PFHxS, PFBA, PFBS, PFPeA and PFHxA were also found at low levels. Austin Water says no extra treatment is required now.
How hard is Austin water?
Austin Water reported total hardness of 70 to 126 mg/L in 2025, averaging 93 mg/L or 5.4 grains per gallon. USGS classes 61 to 120 mg/L as moderately hard. That is much softer than San Antonio, and many homes will not need a softener just for scale.
What filter should I use in Austin?
EPA says pick a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 for the contaminant you want to reduce, and check the certification listing, not just the box. Reverse osmosis systems cost about $150 to $1,000 and carbon filters $20 to $1,000 before replacement cartridges, per EPA.
Sources (all accessed Oct 25, 2026)
- Austin Water 2025 Water Quality Report (2025 data; PWS ID 2270001)
- Austin Water PFAS results (UCMR 5, 2023–2024)
- EPA UCMR 5 data (UCMR5_All.txt, UCMR5_ZIPCodes.txt; PWSID TX2270001)
- EPA PFAS rule
- EPA filter guide
- USGS, Hardness of water