Is Jamaica Beach, TX Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B-, with 11 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
71.5/100
waterverge.com Jamaica Beach, TX — Water Quality Report
Jamaica Beach's drinking water received a grade of B- (71.5 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,072 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 18 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.
What to know about Jamaica Beach's water
Jamaica Beach ranks #552 out of 1067 cities in Texas for water quality, placing it below average 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, Jamaica Beach may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 7 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Jamaica Beach, TX water safe to drink?
Jamaica Beach's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (71.5/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,072 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Jamaica Beach
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Jamaica Beach's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (71.5/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4798). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4572). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Jamaica Beach's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Jamaica Beach's water system has 18 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved. 7 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Galveston County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 2007. 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 Jamaica Beach's water come from?
Jamaica Beach's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,072 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Jamaica Beach residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Jamaica Beach'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.
Jamaica Beach'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtGalveston County is currently in D2 (severe 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
Galveston County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 2007. 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Jamaica Beach compares by contaminant
Explore where Jamaica Beach ranks among all Texas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Jamaica Beach's water comes from
Jamaica Beach's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
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 1,072 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Jamaica Beach
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF JAMAICA BEACH | TX0840030 | 1,072 | SWP |
How Jamaica Beach compares
Full Texas rankings →Jamaica Beach's score of 71.5/100 is above the average of 46/100 among major Texas cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Texas rankings →About Jamaica Beach, TX
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Jamaica Beach's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Galveston
Frequently asked questions
Is Jamaica Beach, TX tap water safe to drink?
Jamaica Beach's water quality earned a grade of B- (71.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #552 out of 1067 cities tested in Texas.
What contaminants are in Jamaica Beach's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 18 violations are on record.
How is Jamaica Beach'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 Jamaica Beach?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Jamaica Beach's water come from?
Jamaica Beach's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,072 residents.
What health violations has Jamaica Beach's water system had?
Jamaica Beach has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 11 violations remain unresolved.
How does Jamaica Beach's water compare to other cities?
Jamaica Beach ranks #552 out of 1067 cities in Texas (better than 48% of state cities) and #10542 out of 15744 cities nationally (33th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Jamaica Beach's small water system affect quality?
Jamaica Beach's system serves approximately 1,072 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 18 violations on record.