Bell County, Texas: drinking water report. Bell County in central Texas has a population of about 370,000, anchored by Killeen and Temple.
Bell County in central Texas has a population of about 370,000, anchored by Killeen and Temple. Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), the largest active-duty armored post in the world, dominates the western half of the county. Water comes from Belton Lake, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, and the Leon River, with the Bell County Water Control and Improvement District and individual city utilities serving different areas. The military installation's size – over 200,000 acres – means its environmental practices directly affect the county's water resources.
Fort Cavazos has confirmed PFAS contamination at multiple locations on the installation. According to the Army's 2024 environmental status report, AFFF firefighting foam was used extensively at the base's fire training areas, motor pools, and aircraft facilities. Groundwater monitoring has detected PFOS at concentrations up to 450 ppt near fire training sites. Some contamination has migrated off-base toward Killeen's water supply wells.
Beyond PFAS, the base's munitions training ranges have introduced perchlorate and unexploded ordnance residues into the soil and shallow groundwater over decades of use. A 2023 TCEQ assessment found that two public water systems in Bell County recorded PFAS above detection limits during UCMR5 sampling.
Killeen and communities adjacent to Fort Cavazos face the most direct exposure risk from military-related contamination. The distance and direction from the base to your water source determines your specific risk level.
Check your water to see the latest results for your area. For PFAS, reverse osmosis is the most effective household treatment. Our water filter guide identifies systems tested against military-concentration PFAS levels. Pull your detailed report for trends, and visit our Texas page for statewide context.