Drinking water quality · 2024
What's in El Paso, TX tap water
23 contaminants were measured in the El Paso, TX water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 23
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 0
- Worst contaminant
- TTHM
- Service area
- TX
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 0–100 ug/LRangeof Samples | None set | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— of Samples, LRAA/ Average Level
| |||
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 0–45.6 ug/LRangeof Samples | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— of Samples, LRAA/ Average Level
| |||
| Chlorite | 0–0.317 mg/LRangeof Samples | 1 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— of Samples, LRAA/ Average Level
| |||
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | Not detected ug/LRangeof Samples | None set | None detected |
+By source (2)— of Samples, LRAA/ Average Level
| |||
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 1.86 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | 0.0043 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 0.01 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.476 mg/L90th percentileAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LAction level | Within the limit |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 1.16 ug/L90th percentileAt the tap | None set | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.04 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 2 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. | 58 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | 5.2 ug/LAverageSystem-wide | 30 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 1 pCi/LAverageSystem-wide | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Gross Beta Particle ActivityGross beta particle activity — a combined measure of beta-emitting radioactive substances. | 5.22 pCi/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 1.06 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.29 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | 0.22 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0.19 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0.14 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0.39 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0.81 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 0.25 ng/LAverageSystem-wide | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium | 0.0008 mg/LAverageSystem-wide | 0.1 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli (E. coli)Escherichia coli — bacteria found in the gut of humans and animals. | 0Reported levelTotal Number of Positive E. coli or Fecal Coliform Samples | 0MCLG | None detected |
People also ask about El Paso, TX's water
+Is El Paso, TX tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the El Paso, TX water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: TTHM. 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 El Paso, TX tap water?
23 contaminants were measured in El Paso, TX's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning pfas ("forever chemicals"), metals, and disinfection byproducts. 11 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 El Paso, TX tap water?
One contaminant in El Paso, TX's 2024 report sits at or above the federal limit: TTHM (1.3× 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 El Paso, TX tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is TTHM, at 1.3× the federal threshold. It belongs to the disinfection byproducts family of contaminants.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from El Paso, 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 El Paso, 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.