Killeen, TX Water Quality Report
Is Killeen tap water safe? See PFAS and lead contamination levels for Killeen, Texas. Compare to EPA limits and get filter recommendations.
Quick Answers
Is Killeen tap water safe to drink? Killeen tap water meets most federal EPA limits, but PFAS compounds have been detected at an average of 2.1 ppt across 8 compounds. A certified pitcher filter or reverse osmosis system is recommended for sensitive populations.
What contaminants are in Killeen water? Top PFAS compounds detected in Killeen water: lithium (23 ppt), PFHxS (0.02 ppt), PFPeA (0.01 ppt). See the full table for all monitored contaminants and comparison to EPA limits.
What filter should I use in Killeen? Reverse osmosis removes 90%+ of PFAS, lead, and arsenic. NSF-53 certified pitcher and faucet filters (ZeroWater, Clearly Filtered, LifeStraw) work for smaller households. Skip standard Brita filters for PFAS removal.
Killeen Water Quality Summary
EPA testing has detected PFAS "forever chemicals" in Killeen drinking water. Recent monitoring found a peak level of 23 ppt across 4 water systems, representing an average of 2.1 ppt across 8 detected compounds.
Contamination Level: MODERATE – Moderate contamination – PFAS detected at meaningful levels; filtration recommended.
Top Detected Compounds
- lithium: 23 ppt (exceeds EPA 4 ppt limit for PFOA/PFOS)
- PFHxS: 0.02 ppt
- PFPeA: 0.01 ppt
- PFBS: 0.01 ppt
- PFBA: 0.01 ppt
Lead in Killeen Water
EPA Lead and Copper Rule testing has recorded 40 lead samples for Killeen water systems, with a 90th-percentile high of 0.021 mg/L (above the EPA 0.015 mg/L action level). There is no safe level of lead for children; if your home was built before 1986, a certified NSF/ANSI 53 lead-removal filter is recommended.
EPA Violations in Killeen
Killeen public water systems have 13 health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record, including Gross Alpha (excl. radon & uranium), Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Surface Water Treatment Rule, Total Organic Carbon. Health-based violations mean a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
About the Data
These figures come from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR5) testing program, 2023-2025. UCMR5 is the most comprehensive national drinking water survey in US history, covering 66,000+ public water systems. Population of Killeen: approximately 153,095.
ZIP Codes Served
What Killeen Residents Should Do
- Enter your exact ZIP code at knowyourexposure.com for address-level data
- Install an NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis filter (removes 94-99% of PFAS)
- If you're in a high-exposure group (pregnant, young children), consider a PFAS home test kit
- Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) annually