01The verdict: is Gordon water safe?
Gordon's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (43/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 3,826 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
23 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 ↓4K people, 3 systems
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓Lead is approaching its limit
Measured at 11.4 ppb — 76% of the 15 ppb limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Gordon's drinking water received a grade of F (43 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 3,826 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 11.4 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 91 violations on record, including 51 health-based violations. 23 remain unresolved.
Gordon ranks #941 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. The system has seen 8 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Gordon's water
Every contaminant flagged in Gordon, 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.
Near Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb — no lead level is considered safe for children. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection, and running the cold tap 30 seconds after stagnation reduces exposure.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. | 11.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Near Limit |
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
03Gordon'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 91 violations on record, including 51 health-based violations. 23 remain unresolved.
5 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 1 ppb since 1994. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Gordon's water comes from
Gordon's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
3 systems
3 water systems (1 wholesaler), operated under local government ownership.
3,826 people
Residents served across Gordon'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 3,826 people through 3 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAKE PALO PINTO AREA WSC | TX1820069 | 2,247 | Surface Water |
| BARTON WSC | TX0720013 | 1,104 | Purchased Surface Water |
| CITY OF GORDON | TX1820007 | 475 | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Gordon
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Gordon's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Gordon's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
2 federal disaster declarations on record for Palo Pinto County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Gordon compares
Scores for nearby Texas cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Texas average (46/100)
Gordon scores 43/100 — on par with the Texas average of 46/100. It outscores 7 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.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Gordon's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 11.4 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Gordon 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 Gordon, TX tap water safe to drink?
Gordon's water quality earned a grade of F (43/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #941 out of 1067 cities tested in Texas.
What contaminants are in Gordon's water?
Lead was measured at 11.4 ppb (90th percentile). 91 violations are on record.
How is Gordon'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 Gordon?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Gordon's water come from?
Gordon's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 3,826 residents.
What health violations has Gordon's water system had?
Gordon has 51 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 23 violations remain unresolved.
How does Gordon's water compare to other cities?
Gordon ranks #941 out of 1067 cities in Texas (better than 12% of state cities) and #14362 out of 15382 cities nationally (7th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.