WaterVerge

Is Freer, TX Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded C-, with 8 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: TX0660002
Overall Score
56.5 / 100
Violations
8 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#730 of 1067 in Texas Top 79% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
C-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
56.5/100
waterverge.com
C- 56.5/100

Freer, TX — Water Quality Report

Freer's drinking water received a grade of C- (56.5 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,923 residents using groundwater.

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 61 violations on record, including 50 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Freer's water

Freer ranks #730 out of 1067 cities in Texas for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Freer 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, Freer may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

The system has seen 16 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
56.5 out of 100 Grade C-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
6.5/45
F
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Freer, TX water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Freer's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C- (56.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,923 residents using groundwater (wells).

8
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Freer

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Freer's water quality assessment. Grade: C- (56.5/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.

Disaster
HURRICANE HANNA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3530). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
TROPICAL STORM ALEX

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3313). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Freer's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Freer's water system has 61 total violations on record, including 50 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved. 16 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MCLOtherMR
Most recent violations:
Oct 2025 Arsenic Resolved
Apr 2025 Arsenic Resolved
Jan 2025 Arsenic Resolved
Dec 2024 Public Notice Open
Oct 2024 Arsenic Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Duval County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters 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.

HURRICANE HANNA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3530
TROPICAL STORM ALEX
Hurricane FEMA DR-3313
HURRICANE RITA
Hurricane FEMA DR-1606

Where does Freer's water come from?

Freer's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,923 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Freer residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Freer's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Freer'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

61
Total violations
50
Health-based
8
Active / unresolved
Oct 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

61 Total
8 Active
50 Health-based
53 Resolved
Violations by category
Arsenic Rule
51
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
5
Nitrate Rule
1
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Ground Water Rule
1
Dec 2024 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Mar 2023 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Feb 2016 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Oct 2015 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Mar 2012 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Nov 2011 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Nov 2011 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Oct 2025 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2025
Apr 2025 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2025
Jan 2025 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2025
Oct 2024 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2024
Jul 2024 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2024
Apr 2024 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2024
Jan 2024 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2024
Oct 2023 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2023
Jul 2023 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2023
Apr 2023 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2023
Apr 2023 Resolved
Arsenic
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2023
Jan 2023 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2023
Showing 20 of 61 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D4 — exceptional drought

Duval County is currently in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). 0.1% of the county is in D4 (exceptional) drought. Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
20.5%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

3
Declared disasters
Jul 2020
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Duval County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Jul 2020
HURRICANE HANNA
Hurricane FEMA #3530
Jun 2010
TROPICAL STORM ALEX
Hurricane FEMA #3313
Sep 2005
HURRICANE RITA
Hurricane FEMA #1606

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 1.0 ppb from 1993 (1.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,923
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Freer's water comes from

Groundwater

Freer'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 2,923 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Freer

System Name PWSID Population Source
FREER WCID TX0660002 2,923 GW
Regional Comparison

How Freer compares

Full Texas rankings →

Freer's score of 56.5/100 is above the average of 46/100 among major Texas cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Freer (this city)
56.5
Houston
27.8
Austin
31.2
Dallas
36.2
Fort Worth
34.5
Texas avg
46
City Profile

About Freer, TX

Economic Profile
$64,438
Median Income
$87,492
Median Home Value
$938/mo
Median Rent
6.6%
Unemployment
Community
30.9
Median Age
250
People / sq mi
16.1%
College Educated
66.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Freer, TX tap water safe to drink?

Freer's water quality earned a grade of C- (56.5/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #730 out of 1067 cities tested in Texas.

What contaminants are in Freer's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 61 violations are on record.

How is Freer'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 Freer?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Freer's water come from?

Freer's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,923 residents.

What health violations has Freer's water system had?

Freer has 50 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. 8 violations remain unresolved.

Is Freer's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Freer 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 61 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 Freer's water compare to other cities?

Freer ranks #730 out of 1067 cities in Texas (better than 32% of state cities) and #12453 out of 15744 cities nationally (21th percentile). The grade of C- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Freer's small water system affect quality?

Freer's system serves approximately 2,923 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 61 violations on record.