WaterVerge

Is Groom, TX Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

548 residents served 1 water system PWSID: TX0330001
Overall Score
81 / 100
Violations
4 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#332 of 1067 in Texas Top 49% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
81/100
waterverge.com
B+ 81/100

Groom, TX — Water Quality Report

Groom's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 548 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 5 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 4 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Groom's water

Groom ranks #332 out of 1067 cities in Texas for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
81 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
39/45
B
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
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Groom, TX water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Groom's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 548 residents using groundwater (wells).

4
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 event
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Groom

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Groom's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine.

Disaster
HURRICANE RITA

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 Groom's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Groom's water system has 5 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 4 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

TTRPTMR
Most recent violations:
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Oct 2024 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Dec 2014 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Oct 2008 Chlorine Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Carson 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. Local water sources include Salt Fk Red Rv Trib At Fm 294 Nr Goodnight.

HURRICANE RITA
Hurricane FEMA DR-1606

Where does Groom's water come from?

Groom's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 548 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Salt Fk Red Rv Trib At Fm 294 Nr Goodnight (river).

What Groom residents can do

Install a water filter

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

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

5
Total violations
1
Health-based
4
Active / unresolved
Oct 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

5 Total
4 Active
1 Health-based
1 Resolved
Violations by category
Lead and Copper Rule Revisions
2
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2024 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Dec 2014 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Oct 2008 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2008
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Carson 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.

7
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
19.3%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
7
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

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

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

1
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Carson 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.

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 2.3 ppb from 1994 (2.3 ppb) to 2023 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
548
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Groom's water comes from

Groundwater

Groom'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 548 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Groom

Groom is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Salt Fk Red Rv Trib At Fm 294 Nr Goodnight
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Groom

System Name PWSID Population Source
GROOM MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM TX0330001 548 GW
Regional Comparison

How Groom compares

Full Texas rankings →

Groom's score of 81/100 is above the average of 46/100 among major Texas cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Groom (this city)
81
Houston
27.8
Austin
31.2
Dallas
36.2
Fort Worth
34.5
Texas avg
46
City Profile

About Groom, TX

Wikipedia →

Groom is a town in Carson County, Texas, United States. The population was 552 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Amarillo metropolitan area. It is on Interstate 40 42 miles (68 km) east of Amarillo and 215 miles (346 km) west of Oklahoma City.

Economic Profile
$51,944
Median Income
$96,389
Median Home Value
$1,034/mo
Median Rent
0%
Unemployment
Community
46
Median Age
228
People / sq mi
18.8%
College Educated
89.8%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Groom, TX tap water safe to drink?

Groom's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #332 out of 1067 cities tested in Texas.

What contaminants are in Groom's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.

How is Groom'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 Groom?

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

Where does Groom's water come from?

Groom's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 548 residents.

What health violations has Groom's water system had?

Groom has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.

Is Groom's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Groom 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 5 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 Groom's water compare to other cities?

Groom ranks #332 out of 1067 cities in Texas (better than 69% of state cities) and #7649 out of 15744 cities nationally (51th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Groom's small water system affect quality?

Groom's system serves approximately 548 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 5 violations on record.