77062
Houston, TX
CLEAR LAKE CITY WATER AUTHORITY

Is Houston tap water safe to drink?

Higher concern
Last tested: March 2024
Action Advised
Source: Official EPA UCMR5 federal monitoring data | Last tested March 2024

Can you drink the tap water in Houston?

Houston tap water has 9 contaminants above EPA guidelines, including PFPeA at 2,9× the limit (tested March 2024). See the full compound-by-compound breakdown and filter recommendations.

Recommended for Houston tap water
Water filter for Houston tap water: Epic Pure XP Water Filter Pitcher
Pitcher filter
Epic Pure XP Water Filter Pitcher
NSF-certified dual-layer filtration reduces 70+ contaminants including PFAS, lead, chlorine, microplastics, and bacteria.
Contaminants above EPA limits detected in Houston. Fastest way to reduce exposure.
See certified filter on Amazon

The health risk for Houston

PFAS ('forever chemicals') have been detected above EPA limits in this water system's most recent tests. These synthetic chemicals do not break down in the body and are linked to a range of health effects. A certified filter is strongly recommended.
  • lithium, PFBS, PFOS, PFPeA above limit.
PFPeA concentration (µg/L) March 2024
0 µg/L 0.003 µg/L 0.01 µg/L
0.009 µg/L
Detected
µg/L
0.003 µg/L
EPA limit
guideline
193% above limit
Comparison
vs. guideline
EPA limit: 0.003 µg/L | Your water: 0.009 µg/L
Certified Filters for Houston Tap Water

PFPeA (a PFAS 'forever chemical') was detected above EPA limits. These filters are independently certified to reduce common drinking-water contaminants.

Water filter recommendation for Houston tap water: Epic Pure XP Water Filter Pitcher
Pitcher filter
Epic Pure XP Water Filter Pitcher
NSF-certified dual-layer filtration reduces 70+ contaminants including PFAS, lead, chlorine, microplastics, and bacteria.
Best for renters or quick setup. No installation needed.
See certified filter on Amazon
Water filter recommendation for Houston tap water: Waterdrop G3P600 Reverse Osmosis System
Under-sink RO system
Waterdrop G3P600 Reverse Osmosis System
8-stage tankless RO system certified to NSF/ANSI 58, reduces 1,000+ contaminants including PFAS, lead, arsenic, fluoride, and nitrates.
Best for homeowners. Heavy-duty filtration for long-term protection.
See certified filter on Amazon
Most elevated compounds
Compound Measurement EPA Limit Comparison
PFPeA
Tested: January 2024 · Manor Field		 0.009 µg/L 0.003 µg/L 193% above limit
PFPeA
Tested: January 2024 · Genoa Red Bluff Plant		 0.008 µg/L 0.003 µg/L 177% above limit
PFOS
Tested: January 2024 · Manor Field		 0.006 µg/L 0.004 µg/L 45% above limit
PFBS
Tested: January 2024 · Genoa Red Bluff Plant		 0.004 µg/L 0.003 µg/L 30% above limit
PFPeA
Tested: March 2024 · 1735 Kirby Road		 0.004 µg/L 0.003 µg/L 30% above limit
View all tested compounds

Genoa Red Bluff Plant · Tested: January 2024

Compound Measurement EPA Limit Comparison
PFPeA 0.008 µg/L 0.003 µg/L 177% above limit
PFBS 0.004 µg/L 0.003 µg/L 30% above limit
PFOS 0.005 µg/L 0.004 µg/L 15% above limit
PFHxS 0.003 µg/L 0.01 µg/L 34% of limit
PFHxA 0.008 µg/L 3 µg/L 0.3% of limit
PFBA 0.010 µg/L 6 µg/L 0.2% of limit
lithium <9.000 µg/L 10 µg/L Below limit
HFPO-DA <0.005 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
PFNA <0.004 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
11Cl-PF3OUdS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
4:2 FTS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
6:2 FTS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
8:2 FTS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
9Cl-PF3ONS <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Below limit
ADONA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFDA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFDoA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFHpA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFHpS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFOA <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Below limit
PFTrDA <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Below limit
PFUnA <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Below limit

Manor Field · Tested: January 2024

Compound Measurement EPA Limit Comparison
PFPeA 0.009 µg/L 0.003 µg/L 193% above limit
PFOS 0.006 µg/L 0.004 µg/L 45% above limit
PFBS 0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L 10% above limit
PFHxS 0.004 µg/L 0.01 µg/L 40% of limit
PFHxA 0.008 µg/L 3 µg/L 0.3% of limit
PFBA 0.009 µg/L 6 µg/L 0.1% of limit
lithium <9.000 µg/L 10 µg/L Below limit
HFPO-DA <0.005 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
PFNA <0.004 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
11Cl-PF3OUdS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
4:2 FTS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
6:2 FTS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
8:2 FTS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
9Cl-PF3ONS <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Below limit
ADONA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFDA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFDoA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFHpA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFHpS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFOA <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Below limit
PFTrDA <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Below limit
PFUnA <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Below limit

1735 Kirby Road · Tested: Multiple dates

Compound Measurement EPA Limit Comparison
PFPeA 0.004 µg/L 0.003 µg/L 30% above limit
PFHxA 0.004 µg/L 3 µg/L 0.1% of limit
lithium <9.000 µg/L 10 µg/L Below limit
HFPO-DA <0.005 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
PFNA <0.004 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
PFHxS <0.003 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
PFBA <0.005 µg/L 6 µg/L Below limit
11Cl-PF3OUdS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
4:2 FTS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
6:2 FTS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
8:2 FTS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
9Cl-PF3ONS <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Below limit
ADONA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFBS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFDA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFDoA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFHpA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFHpS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFOA <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Below limit
PFOS <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Below limit
PFTrDA <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Below limit
PFUnA <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Below limit

Bay Area Blvd. · Tested: October 2023

Compound Measurement EPA Limit Comparison
lithium 11.900 µg/L 10 µg/L 19% above limit
HFPO-DA <0.005 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
PFNA <0.004 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
PFHxS <0.003 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
PFHxA <0.003 µg/L 3 µg/L Below limit
PFBA <0.005 µg/L 6 µg/L Below limit
11Cl-PF3OUdS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
4:2 FTS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
6:2 FTS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
8:2 FTS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
9Cl-PF3ONS <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Below limit
ADONA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFBS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFDA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFDoA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFHpA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFHpS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFOA <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Below limit
PFOS <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Below limit
PFPeA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFTrDA <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Below limit
PFUnA <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Below limit

El Camino · Tested: January 2024

Compound Measurement EPA Limit Comparison
lithium 11.000 µg/L 10 µg/L 10% above limit
HFPO-DA <0.005 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
PFNA <0.004 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
PFHxS <0.003 µg/L 0.01 µg/L Below limit
PFHxA <0.003 µg/L 3 µg/L Below limit
PFBA <0.005 µg/L 6 µg/L Below limit
11Cl-PF3OUdS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
4:2 FTS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
6:2 FTS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
8:2 FTS <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Below limit
9Cl-PF3ONS <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Below limit
ADONA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFBS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFDA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFDoA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFHpA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFHpS <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFOA <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Below limit
PFOS <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Below limit
PFPeA <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Below limit
PFTrDA <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Below limit
PFUnA <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Below limit
Primary source EPA UCMR5 (2023-2025)
Guideline source EPA drinking water standard (lithium: 10 µg/L)
Last tested March 2024
Last page update 2026-03-31

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    Data reflects publicly reported utility records from EPA datasets and local utility disclosures. This information is educational and not medical advice.

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