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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
EPA records for CITY OF FORT WORTH • Updated October 2026
Grade C — based on EPA compliance records, lead testing and PFAS monitoring
CITY OF FORT WORTH has a mixed record — read the reasons below; the deductions come from real EPA violations, lead results or PFAS detections, not from a template.
Fort Worth, TX tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records, mainly because of PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution. The catch is lead pipes: Fort Worth's water system reports 32,590 lead or galvanized service lines still in the ground in EPA's 2026 inventory, and lead leaches from those pipes after the water leaves the plant. If your home is on one, test at the tap or use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead.
Fort Worth, TX tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records, mainly because of PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution. The catch is lead pipes: Fort Worth's water system reports 32,590 lead or galvanized service lines still in the ground in EPA's 2026 inventory, and lead leaches from those pipes after the water leaves the plant. If your home is on one, test at the tap or use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead.
CITY OF FORT WORTH's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31) was 3 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2023-01-23 to 2024-01-24) detected PFBA, PFBS, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
CITY OF FORT WORTH has 2 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 1 monitoring or reporting violation in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
CITY OF FORT WORTH reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 955,900 people (EPA PWSID TX2200012).
We recommend one. Reverse osmosis or a PFAS-certified carbon filter addresses the PFAS result.
Compare filter options for your Fort Worth tap water
PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above EPA's 4 ppt limit in Fort Worth's UCMR5 sampling.
See the filters matched to Fort Worth's EPA results → — which certification actually removes what was found here, and what it does not touch.
Unsure which contaminants to treat? Compare home kits and certified lab testing before buying.
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CITY OF FORT WORTH · SDWIS records since 2016 · 5-year window starts 2021-09-13
EPA records no health-based violations for this system in the last five years. The 1 violation on file in that window is monitoring or reporting paperwork issues, not measured contaminant exceedances. Older health-based violations (since 2016) are listed below for context.
| Violation | Category | Compliance period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment Technique (SWTR and GWR)Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment technique | 2021-03-01 → 2021-03-31 | Resolvedreturned 2021-03-31 |
| Notification, Known or Potential LSLLEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | Reporting | 2025-07-02 | Resolvedreturned 2026-03-27 |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_VIOLATIONS_ENFORCEMENT.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported by CITY OF FORT WORTH
Well below the 15 ppb action level. In the most recent monitoring period on file (2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31), 90% of the homes CITY OF FORT WORTH sampled had lead at or below 3 ppb.
EPA's action level is 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb under the 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). There is no safe level of lead; the 90th-percentile figure describes the system, not your tap — homes with lead service lines or pre-1986 plumbing can be higher.
| Monitoring period | Lead 90th percentile | vs 15 ppb action level |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-01-01 → 2025-12-31 | 3 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2022-01-01 → 2022-12-31 | 3.3 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2021-01-01 → 2021-12-31 | 7 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2020-01-01 → 2020-12-31 | 7.5 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2017-01-01 → 2019-12-31 | 4.7 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2016-01-01 → 2016-12-31 | 3.2 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2013-01-01 → 2015-12-31 | 6.9 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2013-01-01 → 2015-12-31 | 6.3 ppb | Below the action level, but detectable |
| 2010-01-01 → 2012-12-31 | 4.45 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2007-01-01 → 2009-12-31 | 4.88 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2003-01-01 → 2005-12-31 | 2.4 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
| 2000-01-01 → 2002-12-31 | 3.9 ppb | Well below the 15 ppb action level |
Source: ECHO SDWA bulk download (SDWA_LCR_SAMPLES.csv, SDWIS 2026Q2, file dated 2026-07-09, fetched 2026-09-13)
EPA UCMR5 monitoring, 2023-01-23 to 2024-01-24 · 580 PFAS results at entry points to the distribution system
PFOA and PFOS and PFHxS measured at or above EPA's legal limit in at least one sample. Utilities have until 2029 (2031 under EPA's proposed extension) to comply with the 2024 PFAS rule, so a result above the MCL today is not yet a violation — but it is the number that matters for your health.
| Compound | Detects / samples | Max (ppt) | Reporting limit | EPA MCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 8 / 20 | 8.3 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOS | 8 / 20 | 7.3 | 4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS | 8 / 20 | 25.8 | 3 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFNA | 0 / 20 | < 4 | 4 ppt | 10 ppt |
| HFPO-DA | 0 / 20 | < 5 | 5 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS | 10 / 20 | 4.9 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFBA | 20 / 20 | 10 | 5 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFHxA | 16 / 20 | 10.6 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
| PFPeA | 19 / 20 | 6.2 | 3 ppt | hazard index only |
“< 4 ppt” means below the laboratory reporting limit, not zero. ppt = parts per trillion (ng/L). Results are for finished water leaving the treatment plant.
What PFAS are and how to remove them → · Best filters for PFAS →
Source: UCMR5 occurrence data, EPA Data Summary July 2026 (UCMR5_All.txt)
EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance samples for CITY OF FORT WORTH · finished water only · dated data, released 2024
These are the regulated-contaminant samples CITY OF FORT WORTH reported to its state between 2012 and 2019 — the most recent nationwide sample-level dataset EPA has published. Every scored contaminant stayed within its Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and averaged below 80% of the limit. Treat this as history, not today's tap water.
| Contaminant | Samples | Average | Max | EPA limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 3427 detects | 1.132 µg/L | 4.48 µg/L | 10 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Nitrate (as N) | 70 | 0.433 mg/L | 1.19 mg/L | 10 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Fluoride | 38 | 0.467 mg/L | 0.98 mg/L | 4 mg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Chromium (total) | 3416 detects | 0.557 µg/L | 2.12 µg/L | 100 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Uranium (combined) | 91 detects | 0.122 µg/L | 1.1 µg/L | 30 µg/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Radium-226/228 | 1 | 2.5 pCi/L | 2.5 pCi/L | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within MCL |
| Gross alpha | 90 detects | 0 pCi/L | ND | 15 pCi/LMCL | Not detected |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 381371 detects | 11.206 µg/L | 56.5 µg/L | 80 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 376375 detects | 7.346 µg/L | 29.8 µg/L | 60 µg/LMCL (LRAA) | Within MCL |
| Lead (tap samples) | 224121 detects | 1.743 µg/L | 47.9 µg/L | 15 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
| Copper (tap samples) | 224221 detects | 297.01 µg/L | 1510 µg/L | 1300 µg/Laction level (90th percentile) | Reported, not scored (compliance is on the 90th percentile) |
Averages count non-detects as zero. TTHM and HAA5 limits are locational running annual averages, so a single high sample is not a violation — we grade those on the average only. Lead and copper rows are individual tap samples and are shown for context; compliance (and our score) uses the 90th-percentile result above. LRAA = locational running annual average; ND = not detected.
Source: SYR4 Six-Year Review compliance monitoring data 2012–2019 (released 2024-03)
A point-of-use (under-sink) system typically runs $200-$600 installed; whole-house treatment $1,000-$3,000+ depending on flow and what has to come out. Tell us where you are and a certified water-treatment installer serving Fort Worth will follow up - no obligation.
CITY OF FORT WORTH · 300,778 service lines inventoried · Q2 2026 snapshot
CITY OF FORT WORTH reports 32,590 service lines that are lead or galvanized-requiring-replacement (11% of the lines it has inventoried). A lead service line is the pipe between the water main and a building, so treated water can pick up lead after it leaves the plant — which city-level testing does not capture. Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, utilities must replace lead lines within 10 years starting in 2027.
Source: EPA SDWIS Service Line Inventory (Q2 2026) · PWS ID TX2200012 · See all Texas lead service lines. We may earn a commission from filters and test kits, at no extra cost to you.
Surface-water systems draw from rivers, lakes or reservoirs and must filter and disinfect, which is why disinfection byproducts (TTHM, HAA5) are the readings to watch.
How to test your tap water and the treatment options that actually fit Fort Worth homes
The most reliable way to know what is actually coming out of your tap is a certified mail-in lab test. City-wide EPA data (like the report above) reflects the water leaving the treatment plant, but contaminants such as lead and copper can be picked up from your own service line and household plumbing — so the water at your Fort Worth faucet can differ from the system average. A state-certified lab measures dozens of contaminants at once with results you can trust; you can also find one near you through the EPA's certified-lab list at epa.gov/dwlabcert. Hardware-store test strips are cheaper and instant, but they only screen for a few basics (chlorine, hardness, pH, and a rough lead pass/fail) and are far less accurate — treat them as a first look, not a diagnosis.
Match the treatment to what your test finds. Reverse osmosis (RO) removes the widest range of contaminants — lead, arsenic, nitrate, PFAS, and dissolved solids — which makes an under-sink reverse osmosis system the most thorough choice for Fort Worth households with heavy-metal or PFAS concerns. If your main issue is taste, odor, or chlorine, an activated carbon filter (pitcher, faucet, or under-sink) is simpler and cheaper and handles chlorine and many organic compounds well, though carbon alone does not remove arsenic, nitrate, or most PFAS. NSF-certified pitchers rated for lead reduction are the easiest way to start today while you decide on a permanent setup.
We may earn a commission from testing kits and filters purchased through these links, at no extra cost to you.
What Fort Worth residents measured at their own tap (ZIPs 76008, 76036, 76040, 76052 +36 more). All reader results →
Reader submissions are unverified and shown separately from EPA data. They reflect one tap on one day, not the utility's compliance record.
No reader results for Fort Worth yet - yours would be the first. A hardness or TDS number from a $10 strip kit is enough to start the map.
Help build the first reader-sourced water map. Enter whatever your test strip, TDS pen or lab report shows - one number is enough.
Fort Worth ranks #10 of 11 graded Texas cities.
Deep-dive guides for the specific contaminants EPA data flagged in Fort Worth's water, with removal options for each.
Fort Worth, TX tap water is legal to drink but grades C on EPA's records, mainly because of PFOA or PFOS measured at or above the 4 ppt federal limit in 2023–2025 EPA sampling. A certified filter matched to that finding is a reasonable precaution. The catch is lead pipes: Fort Worth's water system reports 32,590 lead or galvanized service lines still in the ground in EPA's 2026 inventory, and lead leaches from those pipes after the water leaves the plant. If your home is on one, test at the tap or use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead.
CITY OF FORT WORTH's most recent Lead and Copper Rule result (2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31) was 3 ppb at the 90th percentile, below EPA's 15 ppb action level. Because lead usually comes from service lines and household plumbing, homes built before 1986 should still test at the tap.
Yes. EPA's UCMR5 sampling (2023-01-23 to 2024-01-24) detected PFBA, PFBS, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, PFPeA, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. Reverse osmosis and certified activated-carbon filters reduce PFAS.
CITY OF FORT WORTH has 2 violations on file since 2016: 0 health-based in the last five years and 1 monitoring or reporting violation in that window. Monitoring violations are paperwork lapses, not measured contamination.
CITY OF FORT WORTH reports surface water as its primary source and serves about 955,900 people (EPA PWSID TX2200012).
We recommend one. Reverse osmosis or a PFAS-certified carbon filter addresses the PFAS result.
PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above EPA's 4 ppt limit in Fort Worth's UCMR5 sampling.
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Based on contaminants detected in your water, these resources may be helpful:
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