01The verdict: is Dekalb water safe?
Dekalb's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (78.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,511 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
12 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓3 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Dekalb's drinking water received a grade of B (78.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,511 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 27 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved.
Dekalb ranks #401 out of 1067 cities in Texas for water quality, placing it mid-range 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, Dekalb may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Dekalb's water
Every contaminant flagged in Dekalb, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Texas
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Texas
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Dekalb's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 27 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved.
7 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 3.1 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Dekalb's water comes from
Dekalb's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
1,511 people
Residents served across Dekalb's service area.
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 1,511 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF DEKALB | TX0190001 | 1,511 | Purchased Surface Water |
05How Dekalb compares
Scores for nearby Texas cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Texas average (46/100)
Dekalb scores 78.6/100 — above the Texas average of 46/100. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities. Full Texas rankings →
27.8 / 100FSan Antonio, TX
33.1 / 100FAustin, TX
31.2 / 100FDallas, TX
36.2 / 100FFort Worth, TX
34.5 / 100FEl Paso, TX
35.8 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Dekalb's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Dekalb's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Dekalb alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Dekalb, TX tap water safe to drink?
Dekalb's water quality earned a grade of B (78.6/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #401 out of 1067 cities tested in Texas.
What contaminants are in Dekalb's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 27 violations are on record.
How is Dekalb'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 Dekalb?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Dekalb's water come from?
Dekalb's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,511 residents.
What health violations has Dekalb's water system had?
Dekalb has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in May 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 12 violations remain unresolved.
How does Dekalb's water compare to other cities?
Dekalb ranks #401 out of 1067 cities in Texas (better than 62% of state cities) and #8505 out of 15382 cities nationally (45th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Dekalb's small water system affect quality?
Dekalb's system serves approximately 1,511 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 27 violations on record.