Is Palo Pinto, TX Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 6 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
81/100
waterverge.com Palo Pinto, TX — Water Quality Report
Palo Pinto's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,000 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 13 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved.
What to know about Palo Pinto's water
Palo Pinto ranks #331 out of 1067 cities in Texas for water quality, placing it mid-range 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, Palo Pinto may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Palo Pinto, TX water safe to drink?
Palo Pinto'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 1,000 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Palo Pinto
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Palo Pinto's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4272). 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 Palo Pinto's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Palo Pinto's water system has 13 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 6 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Palo Pinto 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. Local water sources include Possum Kingdom Lk Nr Graford, Brazos Rv Nr Graford, Brazos Rv Nr Palo Pinto, Keechi Ck At Sh 337 Nr Graford, Lk Palo Pinto Nr Santo.
Where does Palo Pinto's water come from?
Palo Pinto's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,000 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Possum Kingdom Lk Nr Graford (lake), Brazos Rv Nr Graford (river), Brazos Rv Nr Palo Pinto (river), Keechi Ck At Sh 337 Nr Graford (river), Lk Palo Pinto Nr Santo (lake).
What Palo Pinto residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Palo Pinto'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
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Palo Pinto
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Palo Pinto, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
GENERAL SHALE BRICK INC. - PLANT 47 MINERAL WELLS, TX76067 | — | — | 7.4 mi |
RM MILLER POWER PALO PINTO, TX76484 | — | — | 7.6 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Palo Pinto 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Palo Pinto compares by contaminant
Explore where Palo Pinto ranks among all Texas cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Palo Pinto's water comes from
Palo Pinto'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 1,000 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Palo Pinto
Palo Pinto is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Palo Pinto
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PALO PINTO WSC | TX1820004 | 1,000 | SWP |
How Palo Pinto compares
Full Texas rankings →Palo Pinto's score of 81/100 is above the average of 46/100 among major Texas cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Texas rankings →About Palo Pinto, TX
Wikipedia →Palo Pinto is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated community in and the county seat of Palo Pinto County, Texas, United States. This was a new CDP for the 2010 census with a population of 333.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Palo Pinto's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Palo Pinto
Frequently asked questions
Is Palo Pinto, TX tap water safe to drink?
Palo Pinto'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 #331 out of 1067 cities tested in Texas.
What contaminants are in Palo Pinto's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 13 violations are on record.
How is Palo Pinto'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 Palo Pinto?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Palo Pinto's water come from?
Palo Pinto's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,000 residents.
What health violations has Palo Pinto's water system had?
Palo Pinto has 3 health-based violations 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. 6 violations remain unresolved.
How does Palo Pinto's water compare to other cities?
Palo Pinto ranks #331 out of 1067 cities in Texas (better than 69% of state cities) and #7642 out of 15744 cities nationally (52th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Palo Pinto's small water system affect quality?
Palo Pinto's system serves approximately 1,000 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 13 violations on record.