Is College Station, TX Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, College Station tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 113 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where College Station Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How College Station Compares
College Station's water is close to the national average of 138 PPM, ranking #540 out of 1000 cities tracked. Within Texas, it ranks #65 of 76 cities (40% below the state average of 189 PPM). Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), College Station ranks #105 of 189 for hardness.
What College Station's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 113 PPM - Low Concern
College Station's water is firmly in the moderate range at 113 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. The minerals come from the local aquifer geology. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. College Station's water has TTHMs at 20.8 ppb and HAA5 at 1.93 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Even though College Station draws from groundwater, the treatment process still generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 20.8 ppb and HAA5 at 1.93 ppb. Groundwater typically needs less treatment than surface water, but when organic compounds are present in the aquifer, chlorination creates the same byproducts. All levels are within legal limits, though above the stricter EWG health guidelines.
Chromium-6 is naturally present in College Station's aquifer geology at 0.06 ppb — 3x the EWG health guideline. There's no federal legal limit for chromium-6 specifically (only total chromium), which is why EWG tracks it separately. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 113 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 246 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 24.1 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 0.9 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.8 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | Not reported | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | N/A |
Recommendations for College Station Homes
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.8 mg/L chlorine, many College Station residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in College Station
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request City of College Station Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About College Station's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of College Station Water
Water Source: Brazos River Authority, Alluvial wells (Groundwater)
Population Served: 104,103
Hardness: 113 PPM (6.6 grains per gallon)
College Station draws its drinking water from groundwater sources — Brazos River Authority, Alluvial wells. Groundwater typically requires less treatment than surface water because the earth acts as a natural filter. The tradeoff: dissolved minerals from underground rock formations, which is why mineral content varies by aquifer depth and geology. The geological profile determines hardness, iron, and trace mineral levels. The system serves 104,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of College Station Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of College Station Water in College Station, TX, including ZIP codes:
75831, 75833, 75846, 75850, 75852, 76556, 77426, 77801, 77802, 77803, 77805, 77806, 77807, 77808, 77830, 77831, 77833, 77834, 77835, 77836, 77837, 77838, 77840, 77841, 77842, 77843, 77844, 77845, 77850, 77852, 77853, 77855, 77856, 77857, 77859, 77861, 77862, 77863, 77864, 77865, 77866, 77867, 77868, 77870, 77871, 77872, 77873, 77875, 77876, 77878, 77879, 77880, 77881, 77882, 78931, 78932, 78946, 78954, 78961
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare College Station to Other Texas Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About College Station Water
Is College Station tap water safe to drink?
Where does College Station's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in College Station?
What is the hardness of College Station water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in College Station's water?
Is chromium-6 in College Station's water?
Why does College Station water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink College Station tap water straight from the faucet?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What College Station Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 113 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on College Station's water data.