Drinking water quality · 2024
What's in Abilene, TX tap water
33 contaminants were measured in the Abilene, TX water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 4 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 33
- Over federal limit
- 4
- Approaching the limit
- 2
- Worst contaminant
- PFOS
- Service area
- TX
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | 25.6 ng/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | At or above the limit |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 20.2 ng/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | At or above the limit |
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | 7.14 ng/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | At or above the limit |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 6.88 ng/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 96 ng/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 21.4 ng/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 16.400000000000002 ng/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 16.9 ng/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyanide | 206 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | At or above the limit |
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.822–0.841 mg/LRangeSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.247 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| Asbestos | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 7MCL | None detected |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChloramineA longer-lasting disinfectant made by combining chlorine with ammonia. | 3.9 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCL | Approaching the limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | 0.92 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0.8 mg/LMCLG | Approaching the limit |
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 15.9–60 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 24.9 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| BromodichloromethaneA trihalomethane disinfection byproduct. | 2.9 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| BromoformA trihalomethane disinfection byproduct. | 17.4 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| ChloroformA trihalomethane formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water. | 0–2.87 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| DibromochloromethaneA trihalomethane disinfection byproduct. | 8 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.31 NTUHighest single sampleSingle Level Detected | 1 NTUTreatment technique | Within the limit |
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 6.8 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.249 mg/L90th percentileThe | 1.3 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | 0–1.1 ug/LRangeSystem-wide | 10 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.18 mg/LReported levelSystem-wide | 2 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 0 ug/L90th percentileThe | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | Not detected ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
| LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. | 28.9 mg/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | 0.29 ug/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | Not detected pCi/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 pCi/LMCLG | None detected |
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | Not detected pCi/LReported levelSystem-wide | 0 pCi/LMCLG | None detected |
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | 10.7Reported levelSystem-wide | 0MCLG | Detected — no federal limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 1.7 %Highest single sampleSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about Abilene, TX's water
+Is Abilene, TX tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Abilene, TX water utility lists 4 contaminants at or above the federal limit: PFOS, Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, PFOA, and Cyanide. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Abilene, TX tap water?
33 contaminants were measured in Abilene, TX's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning pfas ("forever chemicals"), disinfection byproducts, and metals. 14 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Abilene, TX tap water?
4 contaminants in Abilene, TX's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: PFOS (6.4× the limit); Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (2.0× the limit); PFOA (1.8× the limit); Cyanide (1.0× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Abilene, TX tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is PFOS, at 6.4× the federal threshold. It belongs to the pfas ("forever chemicals") family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Abilene, TX tap water approaching the federal limit?
2 contaminants are between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: Chloramine and Chlorite. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Abilene, TX's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Abilene, TX's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.