Is Arcola, TX Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Arcola ranks. What to do next ↓
97/100
waterverge.com Arcola, TX — Water Quality Report
Arcola's drinking water received a grade of A+ (97 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,599 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
No violations are on record for this water system.
What to know about Arcola's water
Arcola ranks #4 out of 1067 cities in Texas for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Arcola relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Arcola may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Arcola has a clean compliance record with no violations on file, reflecting strong operational practices.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Arcola, TX water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Arcola's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (97/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,599 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Arcola
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Arcola's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (97/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4798). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3540). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Arcola's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Flood & environmental risk
Fort Bend County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2007. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Sims Bayou At Hiram Clarke St, Houston, Clear Ck At Fm 865 Nr Pearland, Hickory Sl At Fm 865 Nr Pearland, Chocolate Bayou Nr Alvin, Oyster Ck At Fm 1092 Nr Missouri City.
Where does Arcola's water come from?
Arcola's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,599 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Sims Bayou At Hiram Clarke St, Houston (river), Clear Ck At Fm 865 Nr Pearland (river), Hickory Sl At Fm 865 Nr Pearland (river), Chocolate Bayou Nr Alvin (river), Oyster Ck At Fm 1092 Nr Missouri City (river).
What Arcola residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Arcola's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Arcola
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Arcola, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 1,554 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
W.A. PARISH ELECTRIC GENERATING STATION THOMPSONS, TX77481 | Manganese compounds | 1,509 | 9.3 mi |
ELLWOOD TEXAS FORGE HOUSTON, TX77045 | Manganese | 20 | 9.7 mi |
COSACO LLC HOUSTON, TX77045 | Copper And Copper Compounds | 11 | 8.9 mi |
SCHLUMBERGER ROSHARON CAMPUS ROSHARON, TX77583 | Copper | 8 | 9.3 mi |
AMACS PROCESS TOWER INTERNALS HOUSTON, TX77053 | Manganese | 6 | 7.3 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtFort Bend County is currently in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Fort Bend County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2007. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Arcola compares by contaminant
Explore where Arcola ranks among all Texas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Arcola's water comes from
Arcola's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,599 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Arcola
Arcola is located near 5 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Arcola
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF ARCOLA | TX0790520 | 1,599 | GW |
How Arcola compares
Full Texas rankings →Arcola's score of 97/100 is above the average of 46/100 among major Texas cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Texas rankings →About Arcola, TX
Wikipedia →Arcola is a city in Fort Bend County, Texas, United States, within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. The population was 2,034 as of the 2020 census, an increase over the figure of 1,642 tabulated by the 2010 census, which represented, in turn, an increase over the 2000 figure of 1,048.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Arcola's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Fort Bend
Frequently asked questions
Is Arcola, TX tap water safe to drink?
Arcola's water quality earned a grade of A+ (97/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #4 out of 1067 cities tested in Texas.
What contaminants are in Arcola's water?
Lead was measured at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile). No violations on record.
How is Arcola's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Arcola?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Arcola's water come from?
Arcola's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,599 residents.
Is Arcola's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Arcola uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. Current testing shows the groundwater meets EPA standards. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Arcola's water compare to other cities?
Arcola ranks #4 out of 1067 cities in Texas (better than 100% of state cities) and #105 out of 15744 cities nationally (99th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Arcola's small water system affect quality?
Arcola's system serves approximately 1,599 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has maintained a clean compliance record.