Texas Guide
PFAS Contamination in Texas — What You Need to Know
Texas has some of the most significant PFAS contamination in the country. Here is where it has been found, what the state is doing about it, and how to protect your drinking water right now.
Last updated: April 2026 · By the PFASFilterGuide team
Texas PFAS Standard
4 ppt PFOA/PFOS, 10 ppt PFHxS/PFNA/HFPO-DA (federal EPA standard)
Texas follows the federal EPA MCL finalized in April 2024. Texas has not adopted state-specific PFAS limits beyond what the EPA requires. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) oversees public water system compliance. Rural well water across Texas remains largely untested, which means actual statewide PFAS exposure is likely higher than documented.
Known Contamination Sites
These are publicly documented PFAS detections in Texas. This is not a complete list — new sites are found regularly as testing expands.
| Location | Source | PFAS Level |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | Kelly Air Force Base (now Port San Antonio) — one of the largest PFAS sites in Texas | PFAS in soil and groundwater; contaminated plume affecting neighboring areas |
| Houston | Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base — AFFF use from flight operations | PFAS detected in groundwater monitoring wells; extent of plume under investigation |
| Abilene | Dyess Air Force Base — AFFF contamination from fire training areas | PFAS detected in groundwater; private well testing recommended for nearby residents |
| Fort Worth | NAS Fort Worth JRB (former Carswell AFB) — groundwater contamination | PFAS detected above EPA notification levels in neighboring public supply areas |
| Midland | Midland International Air & Space Port — AFFF use history | PFAS detected in site monitoring; community testing under EPA UCMR5 |
| Houston Ship Channel | Multiple chemical manufacturing plants — industrial PFAS discharge history | Various PFAS compounds detected in surface water and sediment; ongoing monitoring |
Military Base Contamination
AFFF firefighting foam used on military bases is one of the largest sources of PFAS groundwater contamination. The Department of Defense has identified these Texas bases:
Kelly Air Force Base / Port San Antonio (San Antonio)
Closed as an active Air Force base but remains one of the most significant PFAS sites in Texas. Decades of AFFF use contaminated soil and groundwater. Remediation under the EPA Superfund framework. Neighboring residential and commercial areas continue to be monitored.
Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base (Houston)
Active base with documented PFAS in groundwater monitoring wells. The Houston area's proximity to industrial sources adds complexity to source attribution. Investigation ongoing.
Dyess Air Force Base (Abilene)
PFAS contamination from fire training areas identified in DoD environmental surveys. Private well testing offered to nearby residents. Remediation planning underway.
NAS Fort Worth JRB / Former Carswell AFB (Fort Worth)
PFAS detected in groundwater affecting areas adjacent to the base. Fort Worth has detected PFAS in portions of its public water supply. Monitoring and treatment upgrades in progress.
Midland International Air & Space Port (Midland)
AFFF use documented. Under EPA UCMR5 monitoring. Results being assessed for community impact.
Texas PFAS Regulations
- Texas follows the federal EPA MCL: 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS (individually), 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA
- Texas has not adopted state-specific PFAS MCLs beyond the federal standard
- TCEQ oversees UCMR5 compliance — all large public water systems tested by 2025
- Private wells are not subject to PFAS testing requirements in Texas
- Fort Worth and some other municipalities have installed treatment for PFAS after detections above notification levels
- Texas does not currently have a state fund for PFAS remediation assistance to private well owners
How to Test Your Water in Texas
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) oversees PFAS testing for public water systems under the EPA's UCMR5 program, which requires systems serving 3,300+ people to test for PFAS. Results are available through the EPA's UCMR5 database and should appear in your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report. For private wells — which are very common in rural Texas — there is no mandatory testing program. Well owners near military bases or industrial sites should arrange their own PFAS testing. TCEQ maintains a list of certified drinking water labs in Texas.
Recommended Filters for Texas Residents
Any NSF P473 certified filter removes PFAS. The right type depends on whether you rent or own, and how many taps you want filtered.
Renters / Budget
Clearly Filtered Pitcher — $80 + $60/yr filters. NSF P473. No install.
See full reviewHomeowners / Kitchen
Under-sink RO system — $200-$400. Filters all drinking + cooking water at one tap.
See full reviewWhole-House
SpringWell PFAS system — $1,500+. Filters every tap including showers and laundry.
See full reviewCommon Questions
Does Texas have PFAS in tap water?+
Yes, in some areas. Texas communities near military bases — particularly San Antonio (Kelly AFB), Fort Worth (Carswell/NAS JRB), and Abilene (Dyess AFB) — have documented PFAS detections in public or private water sources. The Houston Ship Channel area also has PFAS from industrial sources. Many rural Texans on private wells have never had their water tested, meaning PFAS exposure there is unknown rather than confirmed safe.
Which Texas cities have PFAS contamination?+
The highest documented PFAS risks in Texas are in communities near military installations: San Antonio near Kelly AFB, Fort Worth near NAS Fort Worth JRB, Abilene near Dyess AFB, and Houston near Ellington Field. Fort Worth is notable because PFAS was detected in the public water supply above EPA notification levels, prompting treatment upgrades. Industrial PFAS sources in the Houston Ship Channel add risk to parts of the Houston metro area.
How do I test my Texas well water for PFAS?+
Private well owners in Texas have three main options. First, use a mail-in test kit from Tap Score or SimpleLab ($150-$300) — you collect a sample at home and mail it to a certified lab. Second, check with your county health department; some counties near bases offer subsidized testing. Third, contact TCEQ for the list of Texas-certified drinking water labs. If you are in a rural area with no known contamination nearby, still consider a baseline test — PFAS can come from agricultural sources like PFAS-contaminated irrigation water.
What is TCEQ doing about PFAS?+
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality oversees public water testing under EPA's UCMR5 program and enforces the federal PFAS MCL for public water systems. TCEQ has not set Texas-specific PFAS limits beyond the federal standard, and there is no state-funded private well testing program. Critics note Texas has been slower than states like New Jersey or Pennsylvania to take proactive action. TCEQ does maintain updated guidance for water utilities and publishes UCMR5 test results.
What water filter removes PFAS in Texas water?+
The two most effective options are NSF P473 certified pitcher or under-sink filters (like Clearly Filtered or Aquasana) and reverse osmosis systems. RO systems like the SpringWell SWRO remove 99%+ of PFAS from your kitchen tap. If you are on a private well with confirmed high PFAS levels, a reverse osmosis under-sink system is the stronger choice over a pitcher alone. For whole-house coverage, activated carbon whole-house filters reduce some PFAS but are not NSF P473 certified.
Protect Your Water Now
You do not need to wait for your state to act. An NSF P473 certified filter removes PFAS from your tap water today. Start with a test to know your levels, then pick the filter that fits your home.