Tap Water Results

Is Harlingen, TX tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Harlingen Water Works System. 3 PFAS were detected below the limits.

2 public water systems serve parts of Harlingen. The largest, Harlingen Water Works System, serves 85,900 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Harlingen Water Works System

85,900 people · Surface water · EPA ID TX0310002

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Harlingen Water Works System results

Across Texas, 28 of 1,130 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 13 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Texas results.

Harlingen homes and lead pipes

36%
of homes built before 1980 (Texas 33%, US 50%)
7%
built before 1950 (Texas 6%)
44%
of households rent (Texas 37%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Harlingen city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Harlingen

  • East Rio Hondo Water Supply Corporation
    25,509 people · Surface water · Texas · reported ZIPs here
    PFOA detectedAlso: PFOS detected · PFHxS detected · Lithium above screening level · 1 health-based violation since 2016

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Weslaco 18 mi
North Alamo Water Supply Corporation
North Alamo Water Supply CorporationNone above limits0.32 ppb
Brownsville 20 mi
Brownsville Public Utilities Board
Brownsville Public Utilities BoardAbove limit0 ppb
San Juan 28 mi
North Alamo Water Supply Corporation
North Alamo Water Supply CorporationNone above limits0.32 ppb
Edinburg 30 mi
City of Edinburg
City of EdinburgNone above limits0 ppb
Pharr 31 mi
City of Pharr
City of PharrNone above limits1.09 ppb
McAllen 34 mi
McAllen Public Utility
McAllen Public UtilityNone above limits2.3 ppb
Harlingen ZIP codes (2)
  • 78550
  • 78552

Questions

Is Harlingen tap water safe to drink?

Harlingen Water Works System has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Harlingen, TX?

2 public water systems serve parts of Harlingen. The largest is Harlingen Water Works System (85,900 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Harlingen tap water have PFAS?

Harlingen Water Works System had 3 PFAS detected at least once in EPA's 2023–2025 testing, all with averages below the federal limits.

Do Harlingen homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 36% of Harlingen homes as built before 1980 (Texas: 33%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Harlingen Water Works System's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.