Is Fort Davis, TX Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
89.4/100
waterverge.com Fort Davis, TX — Water Quality Report
Fort Davis's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,201 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.3 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 16 violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
What to know about Fort Davis's water
Fort Davis ranks #50 out of 1067 cities in Texas for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Fort Davis 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, Fort Davis may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Fort Davis, TX water safe to drink?
Fort Davis's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (89.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,201 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Fort Davis
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Fort Davis's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.4/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U.
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 Fort Davis's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Fort Davis's water system has 16 total violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Jeff Davis 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 Fort Davis's water come from?
Fort Davis's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,201 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Fort Davis residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Fort Davis'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
D1 — moderate droughtJeff Davis 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
Jeff Davis 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. | 1.3 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Fort Davis compares by contaminant
Explore where Fort Davis ranks among all Texas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Fort Davis's water comes from
Fort Davis'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 1,201 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Fort Davis
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FORT DAVIS WSC | TX1220001 | 1,201 | GW |
How Fort Davis compares
Full Texas rankings →Fort Davis's score of 89.4/100 is above the average of 46/100 among major Texas cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Texas rankings →About Fort Davis, TX
Wikipedia →Fort Davis is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Jeff Davis County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,024 at the 2020 census, down from 1,201 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jeff Davis County.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Fort Davis's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Jeff Davis
Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Davis, TX tap water safe to drink?
Fort Davis's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #50 out of 1067 cities tested in Texas.
What contaminants are in Fort Davis's water?
Lead was measured at 1.3 ppb (90th percentile). 16 violations are on record.
How is Fort Davis'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 Fort Davis?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Fort Davis's water come from?
Fort Davis's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,201 residents.
What health violations has Fort Davis's water system had?
Fort Davis has 13 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2020. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.
Is Fort Davis's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Fort Davis uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 16 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Fort Davis's water compare to other cities?
Fort Davis ranks #50 out of 1067 cities in Texas (better than 95% of state cities) and #2848 out of 15744 cities nationally (82th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Fort Davis's small water system affect quality?
Fort Davis's system serves approximately 1,201 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 16 violations on record.