A
85

Excellent Water Quality

Galveston, TX 77552

Galveston County · Population served: 52,326 · Data updated March 2026

Water Systems Serving This Area

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CITY OF GALVESTON
Surface water · Pop. 52,326
PWSID: TX0840003

Contaminants Detected

ContaminantDetected LevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
Lead
1.3
15 ppb 1 ppb Warning

PFAS / Forever Chemicals

4 detected All below limits
CompoundLevelEPA MCLHealth GuidelineStatus
PFPeA88.6 pptNo standardUnregulated
PFBA35.9 pptNo standard500 pptUnregulated
PFHxA4.4 pptNo standard400 pptUnregulated
PFBS4.1 ppt2000 ppt100 pptBelow limit

Violation History (Last 5 Years)

1Total (5yr)
0Health-Based
1Major

Water Quality Summary

Understanding Your Water in Galveston

Tap water quality in Galveston, Texas (77552) receives an overall grade of A (Excellent) with a score of 85 out of 100, based on analysis of EPA compliance data, contaminant testing, and violation history. This is 16 points above the Texas state average of 68. The area is served by City Of Galveston, a surface water system providing water to approximately 52,326 people. Testing has found elevated levels of Lead that warrant attention. PFAS testing detected 4 compounds, all currently below EPA limits.

Your Score 85/100 A
vs State 16 pts above Texas avg (68)
vs National 10 pts above national avg (75)

What a Grade A Means

A score of 85/100 means the water supply in Galveston, TX meets or exceeds all EPA standards with minimal issues. Contaminant levels are well within safe limits, and the water system has maintained a strong compliance record. While no water supply is guaranteed perfect at the tap due to household plumbing, this is among the best-scoring areas in the country.

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 EPA data, tap water in Galveston, Texas receives a grade of A (Excellent) with a score of 85/100. This indicates the water meets federal standards and has relatively few concerns. However, individual homes may still have localized issues such as lead from old plumbing.

ZIP code 77552 is served by 1 water system using surface water sources, providing water to approximately 52,326 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 was detected at 1.3 ppb in Galveston, Texas. While this is below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, it exceeds the health guideline of 1 ppb recommended by health organizations. Consider a certified lead filter, especially if you have young children.

4 PFAS compounds were detected in water serving Galveston, Texas, but all are currently below EPA limits. While levels are within regulatory standards, some health organizations recommend minimizing any PFAS exposure. Activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters can reduce PFAS levels.

Water systems serving Galveston, Texas have received 1 violation in the last 5 years. Violations can range from paperwork issues (monitoring & reporting) to serious health-based violations where contaminant levels exceeded safe limits. Review the violation details above for specifics.

Based on detected contaminants (lead, PFAS), residents in Galveston, 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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