Tap Water Quality Report

Tap water quality in El Paso, Texas

Served by El Paso Municipal Water System. 681,000 residents.

Average score 57/100
Utilities 1
Population 681,000
Quick answer

Tap water in El Paso, Texas receives a grade of F (57/100) from TapWaterSafety.org. It's served by El Paso Municipal Water System. The most significant water quality concerns are: Arsenic significantly above health guideline; Chromium-6 detected. Data sources: EPA SDWIS, EPA ECHO, EWG Tap Water Database, and El Paso's published Consumer Confidence Report.

Data sources for this grade: utilities.csv ⓘ How did we get this rating?
Sample data notice: Some or all data on this page is illustrative sample data, not live measurements. See our disclaimer and data sources.

What's in El Paso's tap water

Top water quality concerns identified by the EPA and Environmental Working Group across the utility serving El Paso.

Arsenic significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Arsenic detected at 3.99 ppb, 998x above the EWG health guideline of 0.004 ppb.

Chromium-6 detected

Moderate concern

Chromium-6 detected at 0.23 ppb.

Recommended filters for El Paso

Filters matched to the specific contaminants in El Paso's water supply.

Reverse Osmosis

$249-$750

Arsenic is most effectively removed by reverse osmosis. Some specialized adsorptive filters also work.

AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis
$449-$599 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, P473
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum
$429-$549 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, P473
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO
$600-$750 NSF 58, 372
View on retailer →
Waterdrop N1 Countertop RO
$249-$329 NSF 58, 372
View on retailer →

Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.

All contaminants detected in El Paso's tap water

Every contaminant identified, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal. Why we show multiple standards →

Sample test dates: Water samples were collected in 2024. Test dates per contaminant are shown in the table below.

Contaminant Detected EWG
US health-based
EPA
US legal
EU DWD
Europe
WHO
global
CA PHG
strictest US
Tested
sample year
Status
Arsenic
Heavy metal
3.99 ppb 0.004 10 10 10 0.004 2022 998× over
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Disinfection byproduct
21.3 ppb 0.1 60 60 2022 213× over
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Disinfection byproduct
75.3 ppb 0.6 80 100 2023 126× over
Nitrate
Inorganic
1.77 mg/L 0.14 10 11.3 11.3 10 2022 13× over
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent)
Heavy metal
0.235 ppb 0.02 0.02 2022 12× over
Lead
Heavy metal
0.896 ppb 0 15 5 10 0.2 2023
Contaminant Detected (2023) EWG EPA EU DWD WHO CA PHG Status
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Disinfection byproduct
75.3 ppb 0.6 80 100 126× over
Lead
Heavy metal
0.896 ppb 0 15 5 10 0.2
Contaminant Detected (2022) EWG EPA EU DWD WHO CA PHG Status
Arsenic
Heavy metal
3.99 ppb 0.004 10 10 10 0.004 998× over
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Disinfection byproduct
21.3 ppb 0.1 60 60 213× over
Nitrate
Inorganic
1.77 mg/L 0.14 10 11.3 11.3 10 13× over
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent)
Heavy metal
0.235 ppb 0.02 0.02 12× over

All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.

Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines, California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.

Treatment plant contact info

For service issues, water quality concerns, or to request a Consumer Confidence Report from El Paso Municipal Water System.

Treatment Plant

FacilityEl Paso Water Treatment Plant
Location1758 Treatment Plant Road, El Paso, TX
Operator certificationClass A (State certified)
Treatment capacity136 million gallons/day

ZIP codes served

El Paso's public water systems serve the following ZIP codes: