Is Morton, TX Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 102 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
47/100
waterverge.com Morton, TX — Water Quality Report
Morton's drinking water received a grade of D (47 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,638 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.6 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 362 violations on record, including 110 health-based violations. 102 remain unresolved.
What to know about Morton's water
Morton ranks #834 out of 1067 cities in Texas for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
Morton 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, Morton may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 159 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Morton, TX water safe to drink?
Morton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (47/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,638 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Morton
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Morton's water quality assessment. Grade: D (47/100).
Contaminants: Public Notice, Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Public Notice, Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Public Notice, Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4781). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
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 Morton's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Morton's water system has 362 total violations on record, including 110 health-based violations. 102 remain unresolved. 159 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Cochran County has experienced 2 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.
Where does Morton's water come from?
Morton's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,638 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Morton residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Morton'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.
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 droughtBailey 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
Cochran County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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. | 0.6 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Morton compares by contaminant
Explore where Morton ranks among all Texas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Morton's water comes from
Morton'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 1,638 people through 2 water systems.
Water systems serving Morton
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF MORTON | TX0400001 | 1,608 | GW |
| MAPLE WSC | TX0090011 | 30 | GW |
How Morton compares
Full Texas rankings →Morton's score of 47/100 is on par with the average of 46/100 among major Texas cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Texas rankings →About Morton, TX
Wikipedia →Morton is a city in and the county seat of Cochran County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 1,690. This represented a 15.8% population decline since the 2010 Census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Morton's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Cochran
Frequently asked questions
Is Morton, TX tap water safe to drink?
Morton's water quality earned a grade of D (47/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #834 out of 1067 cities tested in Texas.
What contaminants are in Morton's water?
Lead was measured at 0.6 ppb (90th percentile). 362 violations are on record.
How is Morton'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 Morton?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Morton's water come from?
Morton's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,638 residents.
What health violations has Morton's water system had?
Morton has 110 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. 102 violations remain unresolved.
Is Morton's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Morton 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 362 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 Morton's water compare to other cities?
Morton ranks #834 out of 1067 cities in Texas (better than 22% of state cities) and #13764 out of 15744 cities nationally (13th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.