PFAS in Drinking Water in Texas
What residents of Texas need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in Texas?
Yes. Texas has significant PFAS contamination from multiple military installations spread across the state. Lackland AFB (Joint Base San Antonio) in Bexar County, Sheppard AFB near Wichita Falls, Dyess AFB near Abilene, and Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo have all documented AFFF-related PFAS contamination. The San Antonio metro area — home to one of the largest concentrations of military installations in the country — has documented PFAS in groundwater from AFFF sources.
Where does PFAS come from in Texas?
Joint Base San Antonio (which incorporates Lackland, Fort Sam Houston, and Randolph AFB) represents one of the most complex military PFAS situations in Texas given the multiple installations in a single metro area. AFFF from flight operations and fire training has contaminated portions of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone south and southwest of San Antonio. Sheppard AFB near Wichita Falls has documented PFAS plumes extending toward city water sources.
What should Texas residents know?
Wichita Falls area residents near Sheppard AFB and southern San Antonio residents in communities adjacent to Lackland AFB face the most direct documented risk. Texas's vast size and numerous military installations mean PFAS contamination is geographically dispersed. TCEQ has been conducting PFAS monitoring under UCMR5 and is assessing treatment needs for affected Texas water systems.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024 |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary contamination sources | JBSA/Lackland (San Antonio), Sheppard AFB (Wichita Falls), Dyess AFB (Abilene), Goodfellow AFB (San Angelo) |
| Critical aquifer concern | Edwards Aquifer recharge zone near San Antonio military installations — major regional water supply |
| Scale | Texas has more military installations than any other state — geographically dispersed PFAS risk |
| State regulator | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune effects, developmental toxicity |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis or GAC; critical for private well users near military installations |
Why PFAS Matters in Texas
Texas has more military installations than any other state, and each represents a potential PFAS source from AFFF use. The concentration of Joint Base San Antonio installations — serving approximately 250,000 military personnel and their families — creates a substantial PFAS exposure zone for one of the nation's largest military communities. The Edwards Aquifer, which supplies drinking water to San Antonio and surrounding communities and is one of the most important aquifer systems in the Southern U.S., sits beneath and adjacent to these installations. PFAS contamination of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone is a serious long-term concern. Sheppard AFB's PFAS contamination has been more directly documented as affecting Wichita Falls area water supplies.
Texas PFAS Regulation
Texas TCEQ participates in UCMR5 monitoring for large systems and has assessed PFAS at Lackland AFB (San Antonio), Dyess AFB (Abilene), Sheppard AFB (Wichita Falls), and multiple other military sites. Texas's large number of public water systems (over 7,000) means PFAS compliance will require significant infrastructure investment across the state. Texas follows the federal MCL with no additional state standard.
Largest Texas Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for Texas utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Communities south and southwest of San Antonio near Lackland AFB, Wichita Falls area residents near Sheppard AFB, Abilene area residents near Dyess AFB, and San Angelo residents near Goodfellow AFB face elevated PFAS risk. Private well users in rural Texas counties near any military installation should test independently.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in Texas
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the Texas utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your Texas utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
Texas PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
Texas State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
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