A
86

US Water Score: A

Temple, TX 76504

Bell County · Population served: 94,935 · Data updated July 2026

Service-area evidence: EPA service-area records associate the listed system with this ZIP. Boundaries may still overlap or change.

Water Systems Serving This Area

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CITY OF TEMPLE
Surface water · Pop. 94,935
PWSID: TX0140005

Contaminants Detected

ContaminantDetected LevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
Lead
0.0
15 ppb 1 ppb Passed

PFAS / Forever Chemicals

6 detected 1 above comparison value

UCMR5 occurrence results are screening information, not a finding of regulatory compliance or noncompliance. PFAS rules and compliance dates are evolving.

CompoundLevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
PFBA7.8 pptNo standard500 pptNo federal MCL shown
PFHxA7.3 pptNo standard400 pptNo federal MCL shown
PFPeA6.5 pptNo standardNo federal MCL shown
PFOS4.9 ppt4 ppt4 pptAbove comparison value
PFHxS4.7 ppt10 ppt10 pptBelow comparison value
PFBS4.2 ppt2000 ppt100 pptBelow comparison value

Water Quality Summary

Understanding Your Water in Temple

Tap water quality in Temple, Texas (76504) receives an overall grade of A (Excellent) with a score of 86 out of 100, based on analysis of EPA compliance data, contaminant testing, and violation history. This is 6 points above the Texas state average of 80. Compared to the national average (75), this area performs significantly better. The area is served by City Of Temple, a surface water system providing water to approximately 94,935 people. Notably, 1 PFAS compound exceeds the EPA final MCL value used for comparison — a significant concern given the persistent nature of these chemicals. The area has a clean violation record over the past 5 years — a positive indicator of consistent water quality management.

Your Score 86/100 A
vs State 6 pts above Texas avg (80)
vs National 11 pts above national avg (75)

What a Grade A Means

A score of 86/100 means public water-system records for Temple, TX show relatively few concerns in the US Water Score model. This is an internal score, not an EPA safety rating, and it does not guarantee conditions at any specific tap.

Surface water: sourced from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs

Health Information

What These Contaminants Mean for You

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Lead in Your Water

Lead is a toxic metal that can leach from aging pipes and plumbing fixtures.

Health Effects

Even low levels of lead exposure can cause developmental delays in children, kidney damage, and cardiovascular effects in adults. The EPA action level is 15 ppb, but health experts recommend no safe level of lead in drinking water.

Common Sources

Lead enters water primarily through corrosion of lead service lines, lead solder, and brass fixtures — especially in homes built before 1986.

What You Can Do

If lead is detected above 1 ppb, consider using a certified lead-removal filter (NSF/ANSI 53) for drinking and cooking water. Run cold water for 30 seconds before use if water has been sitting in pipes.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on public water-system records, Temple, Texas receives an internal US Water Score grade of A (Excellent) with a score of 86/100. This indicates relatively few system-level concerns in our model, but it is not an EPA safety rating and does not guarantee tap conditions inside individual homes.

ZIP code 76504 is served by 1 water system using surface water sources, providing water to approximately 94,935 people. Surface water systems are more susceptible to contamination from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and weather events, but typically undergo more extensive treatment including filtration and disinfection.

Lead levels in Temple, Texas are 0.0 ppb, which is at or below the health guideline of 1 ppb. This is a positive result, though periodic testing is still recommended.

Yes — 6 PFAS compounds were detected in records associated with water serving Temple, Texas, and 1 result exceeded the numerical EPA MCL value used for comparison. UCMR5 occurrence results alone are not a regulatory compliance determination. PFAS rules and compliance timelines are evolving; verify current information with the utility and EPA.

Water systems serving Temple, Texas have zero violations in the last 5 years. This is a positive indicator of consistent regulatory compliance and water quality management.

Based on detected contaminants (PFAS), residents in Temple, Texas should consider: Reverse osmosis (RO) system — most effective for PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. Always look for filters with NSF/ANSI certification for the specific contaminants you want to remove.

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