Is Chillicothe, TX Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 17 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
45/100
waterverge.com Chillicothe, TX — Water Quality Report
Chillicothe's drinking water received a grade of D (45 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 675 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.5 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 82 violations on record, including 54 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved.
What to know about Chillicothe's water
Chillicothe ranks #898 out of 1067 cities in Texas for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Chillicothe may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 19 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Chillicothe, TX water safe to drink?
Chillicothe's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (45/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 675 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Chillicothe
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Chillicothe's water quality assessment. Grade: D (45/100).
2 health-based. Contaminants: Nitrate, TTHM.
Contaminants: TTHM.
2 health-based. Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule, Nitrate, TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1606). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Chillicothe's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Chillicothe's water system has 82 total violations on record, including 54 health-based violations. 17 remain unresolved. 19 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Hardeman County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Chillicothe's water come from?
Chillicothe's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 675 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Chillicothe residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Chillicothe's water.
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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtHardeman County is currently in D3 (extreme 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
Hardeman County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. 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. | 2.5 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Chillicothe compares by contaminant
Explore where Chillicothe ranks among all Texas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Chillicothe's water comes from
Chillicothe's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 675 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Chillicothe
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF CHILLICOTHE | TX0990001 | 675 | SWP |
How Chillicothe compares
Full Texas rankings →Chillicothe's score of 45/100 is on par with the average of 46/100 among major Texas cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Texas rankings →About Chillicothe, TX
Wikipedia →Chillicothe is a city in Hardeman County, Texas, United States. The population was 549 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Chillicothe's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Hardeman
Frequently asked questions
Is Chillicothe, TX tap water safe to drink?
Chillicothe's water quality earned a grade of D (45/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #898 out of 1067 cities tested in Texas.
What contaminants are in Chillicothe's water?
Lead was measured at 2.5 ppb (90th percentile). 82 violations are on record.
How is Chillicothe'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 Chillicothe?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Chillicothe's water come from?
Chillicothe's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 675 residents.
What health violations has Chillicothe's water system had?
Chillicothe has 54 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 17 violations remain unresolved.
How does Chillicothe's water compare to other cities?
Chillicothe ranks #898 out of 1067 cities in Texas (better than 16% of state cities) and #14309 out of 15744 cities nationally (9th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Chillicothe's small water system affect quality?
Chillicothe's system serves approximately 675 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 82 violations on record.