Community Water System · PWS TX1880001
Amarillo Municipal Water System
Amarillo, Texas 79105-1971 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 201,291 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.
- 201,291
- People served
- 402
- EPA violations
- 0
- Health-based
- 1 PFAS
- UCMR5 result
The verdict
EPA records 402 drinking-water violations at Amarillo Municipal Water System - above the Texas per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound.
- 402
- Total EPA violations on record
- 0%
- Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
- 201,291
- People served by this system
- 1
- PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)
Water Quality Snapshot: Amarillo Municipal Water System
Amarillo Municipal Water System is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 201,291 residents in Amarillo, Texas (Potter County) through 75,435 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 402 total violations for this system , of which 0 (0%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 395 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2023.
The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Nitrate, recorded in 25 violations (MR). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 1 PFAS compound was detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 5.3 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.
Across Texas, EPA tracks 7,351 public water systems serving 33,253,313 people, with 746,210 cumulative violations and 162,945 health-based violations on record. About 90% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 101.5 violations. Statewide, 1,068 of 1,147 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (93.1%).
Amarillo Municipal Water System's 402 violations sit above the Texas average.
All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.
1 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.
System Details
- System Type
- Community
- Owner Type
- Local
- Connections
- 75,435
- County
- Potter
- School/Daycare
- No
- MCL Violations
- 0
- Monitoring Violations
- 395
- Treatment Tech Violations
- 0
Violation History
Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.
| Contaminant | Category | Count | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | MR | 25 | 2011 |
| Carbon tetrachloride | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| Trichloroethylene | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| CHLOROBENZENE | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| Vinyl chloride | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| o-Dichlorobenzene | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| DICHLOROMETHANE | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| Xylenes, Total | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| Styrene | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| Benzene | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| Ethylbenzene | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| Toluene | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | MR | 12 | 2008 |
| Thallium, Total | MR | 10 | 2008 |
| Beryllium, Total | MR | 10 | 2008 |
| Chromium | MR | 10 | 2008 |
| Mercury | MR | 10 | 2008 |
| Antimony, Total | MR | 10 | 2008 |
| Barium | MR | 10 | 2008 |
| Arsenic | MR | 10 | 2008 |
| Selenium | MR | 10 | 2008 |
PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)
Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 1 of 580 samples detected PFAS.
| Contaminant | Date | Result | MRL | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFTrDA | 8/8/2023 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 8/8/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 8/8/2023 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 8/8/2023 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 8/8/2023 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 8/8/2023 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 8/8/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 8/8/2023 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 8/8/2023 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 8/8/2023 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 8/8/2023 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 8/8/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 8/8/2023 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 8/8/2023 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 8/8/2023 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 8/8/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 8/8/2023 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 8/8/2023 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 8/8/2023 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 8/8/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 8/8/2023 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 8/8/2023 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 8/8/2023 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 8/8/2023 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMPA | 5/14/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 5/14/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 5/14/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 5/14/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 5/14/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxA | 5/14/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 5/14/2024 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 5/14/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 5/14/2024 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| ADONA | 5/14/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 5/14/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 5/14/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 5/14/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 5/14/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 5/14/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTA | 5/14/2024 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 5/14/2024 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 5/14/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 5/14/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 5/14/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 5/14/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 5/14/2024 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 5/14/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 5/14/2024 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 5/14/2024 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 5/14/2024 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
Verify This Water System
The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Amarillo Municipal Water System.
EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:
View PWS ID TX1880001 on SDWISSource: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search
Texas Drinking Water Authority
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) - Drinking Water Watch is the primacy agency that licenses and inspects Amarillo Municipal Water System under EPA-delegated authority.
Open TX regulator portalSource: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) - Drinking Water Watch
Violation Timeline
Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.
| Year (latest) | Contaminant | Category | Count | EPA Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Consumer Confidence Rule | Other | 4 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 7000 |
| 2015 | Coliform (TCR) | MR | 7 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 3100 |
| 2015 | Lead and Copper Rule | MR | 6 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 5000 |
| 2011 | Nitrate | MR | 25 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 1040 |
| 2008 | Carbon tetrachloride | MR | 12 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 2982 |
| 2008 | 1,2-Dichloropropane | MR | 12 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 2983 |
| 2008 | Trichloroethylene | MR | 12 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 2984 |
| 2008 | CHLOROBENZENE | MR | 12 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 2989 |
| 2008 | trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | MR | 12 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 2979 |
| 2008 | Vinyl chloride | MR | 12 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 2976 |
| 2008 | p-Dichlorobenzene | MR | 12 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 2969 |
| 2008 | o-Dichlorobenzene | MR | 12 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 2968 |
| 2008 | DICHLOROMETHANE | MR | 12 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 2964 |
| 2008 | Xylenes, Total | MR | 12 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 2955 |
| 2008 | 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | MR | 12 | SDWIS / TX1880001 / 2378 |
How Amarillo Municipal Water System Compares
Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.
| Metric | Amarillo Municipal Water System | Texas avg | Federal benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total violations | 402 | 101.5 | SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach |
| Health-based violations | 0 | 22.2 | Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL |
| PFAS detection | 1 compound | 93.1% | EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt |
| Population served | 201,291 | 4,524 | Sizing context for compliance burden |
Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 7,351 regulated public water systems in Texas.
Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
| Contaminant | Federal MCL / Action Level | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) | Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique |
| Arsenic | 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) | Health-based MCL since 2006 |
| Total Coliform | Treatment technique (RTCR) | Indicator organism, monitoring trigger |
| PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) | 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) | Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026) |
| Nitrate (as N) | 10 mg/L | Acute health risk for infants |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amarillo Municipal Water System water safe to drink? ▼
How many people does Amarillo Municipal Water System serve? ▼
What type of violations does Amarillo Municipal Water System have? ▼
Has PFAS been detected in Amarillo Municipal Water System water? ▼
What water source does Amarillo Municipal Water System use? ▼
Where does this data come from? ▼
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.