01The verdict: is Little River Academy water safe?
Little River Academy's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (83.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,961 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
9 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 ↓Top half in Texas
Little River Academy ranks #267 of 1067 graded Texas cities.
See the comparison ↓A flood-prone service area
3 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Little River Academy's drinking water received a grade of B+ (83.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,961 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 5.1 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 18 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
Little River Academy ranks #267 out of 1067 cities in Texas for water quality, placing it above 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. 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. As a small community water system, Little River Academy may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Little River Academy's water
Every contaminant flagged in Little River Academy, 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.
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. | 5.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
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
03Little River Academy'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 18 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 9 remain unresolved.
7 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.
▲ Up 2.6 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 5.1 ppb (2023) — 34% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Little River Academy's water comes from
Little River Academy's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
1,961 people
Residents served across Little River Academy'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 1,961 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BELL COUNTY WCID 2 | TX0140027 | 1,961 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Little River Academy
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Little River Academy's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Little River Academy'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.
Flood & storm history
3 federal disaster declarations on record for Bell County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Little River Academy compares
Scores for nearby Texas cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Texas average (46/100)
Little River Academy scores 83.4/100 — above the Texas average of 46/100. It outscores 9 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 Little River Academy's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 5.1 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 Little River Academy alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Little River Academy, TX tap water safe to drink?
Little River Academy's water quality earned a grade of B+ (83.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #267 out of 1067 cities tested in Texas.
What contaminants are in Little River Academy's water?
Lead was measured at 5.1 ppb (90th percentile). 18 violations are on record.
How is Little River Academy'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 Little River Academy?
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 Little River Academy's water come from?
Little River Academy's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,961 residents.
What health violations has Little River Academy's water system had?
Little River Academy has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2020. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 9 violations remain unresolved.
How does Little River Academy's water compare to other cities?
Little River Academy ranks #267 out of 1067 cities in Texas (better than 75% of state cities) and #6395 out of 15382 cities nationally (58th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Little River Academy's small water system affect quality?
Little River Academy's system serves approximately 1,961 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.