The majority of public water systems in Texas are in compliance with contaminant standards and reporting requirements. However, hundreds of public water systems are supplying their customers with water containing unsafe levels of contaminants and have been for years. These systems are frequently, though not always, small systems in rural areas of the state.
This guide is intended to provide information about what constitutes safe drinking water, how to determine if a public water system is in compliance with health-based standards, and what actions communities and advocates can take to make their water safe to drink.