Water Quality Report: 2025

Overview

This Consumer Confidence Report provides information about the quality of your drinking water during 2025. It summarizes where your drinking water comes from, how it is treated, and the results of state and federally required water quality monitoring.

Opportunities for public participation in decisions affecting drinking water are available through City Council meetings. The Council meets at the Waco Convention Center - Bosque Theater at 100 Washington Avenue. Meeting Schedules and agendas are available on the Meetings & Agendas page.

System Information

• Public Water System ID – TX1550008
• Primary Water Source – Lake Waco (Surface Water)
• Active Entry Points – EP001 and EP002 (Mt. Carmel and Riverside Water Treatment Plants)
• Regulatory Compliance – City of Waco met all drinking water standards during 2025

Water Loss

In the water loss audit submitted to the Texas Water Development Board for the period of January through December 2025, the City of Waco water system lost an estimated 590,950,614 gallons of water, representing approximately 6.6% of total system input volume.

Water loss can occur due to line leaks, line breaks, meter inaccuracies, data handling errors, fire protection use, and unauthorized consumption.

The City of Waco continues to invest in leak detection, meter replacement, infrastructure renewal, pressure management, and system monitoring to reduce water loss and improve overall system efficiency.

Information about your Drinking Water

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPAs Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
• Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming.
• Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems.
• Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

Water Treatment Process

1. Source: Water flows from Lake Waco to the treatment plant by gravity.
2. Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) Treatment: Air injected into the water forms bubbles that attach to suspended solids, causing them to float to the surface where they are removed. this step is critical for removing algae and organic matter.
3. Ozone Treatment: The water then undergoes ozonation, eliminating pathogens and significantly improving taste and odor. Ozone is a powerful oxidant that enhances overall water quality before conventional treatment.
4. Filtration: Next, water flows through filters that capture fine particles.
5. Disinfection: Filtered water is disinfected with a small amount of chloramine to protect public health.
6. Delivered: The water is ready to be stored and safe for consumption.

Infographic of the Treatment Process

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste, color, or odor problems. These types of problems are not necessarily causes for health concerns. For more information on taste, odor, or color of drinking water, please contact the City of Waco Water Quality Lab at (254) 750-1662.

You may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain microbial contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, in drinking water. Infants, some elderly, or immunocompromised persons such as those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer; persons who have undergone organ transplants; those who are undergoing treatment with steroids; and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, can be particularly at risk from infections. You should seek advice about drinking water from your physician or health care providers. Additional guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. We are responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but we cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

About this Report

City of Waco drinking water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water requirements. The City of Waco Water Treatment Division (Public Water System #1550008) is proud to maintain a Superior water quality rating from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

This report is a summary of the quality of the water we provided our customers during 2025. The analysis was made by using data from the most recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required tests. Our goal is that this information will help you become more knowledgeable about what’s in your drinking water.

The information that follows list all of the federally regulated and/or monitored contaminants that have been found in your drinking water. The U.S. EPA requires water systems to test for up to 97 different contaminants.

Where Does Our Water Come From?

Waco’s drinking water is 100% surface water. The source of drinking water for residents of the City of Waco and surrounding communities is Lake Waco, located within the City of Waco.

Source Water Assessment and Protection

The TCEQ completed an assessment of our source water and results indicate that some of our sources are susceptible to certain contaminants. The sampling requirements for our water system are based on this susceptibility and previous sample data. Any detections of these contaminants will be found in this report. For more information on source water assessments and protection efforts in our system, contact the City of Waco Water Quality Lab at (254) 750-1662.

Drinking Water Standards

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health.

Water Sources

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals, and in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water before treatment include:

• Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife
• Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming
• Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses
• Organic Chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities

All Drinking Water May Contain Contaminants

When drinking water meets federal standards, there may not be any health based benefits to purchasing bottled water or point of use devices. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).

Secondary Constituents

Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste, color, and odor problems. These types of problems are not necessarily causes for health concerns. For more information on taste, odor or color of drinking water, please contact Customer Engagement.

Report Data

Regulated Contaminants Detected

Barium

• Highest Level Detected: 0.0408
• Range of Individual Samples: 0.0403 - 0.408
• MCLG: 2
• MCL: 2
• Units: ppm
• Violation: No
• Likely Source of Contamination: Natural deposits

Bromate

• Highest Level Detected: 14.2
• Range of Individual Samples: 0 - 14.2
• MCLG: 0
• MCL: 10
• Units: ppb
• Violation: No
• Likely Source of Contamination: By-product of drinking water disinfection.

Cyanide

• Highest Level Detected: 110
• Range of Individual Samples: 0 - 110
• MCLG: 0
• MCL: 200
• Units: ppb
• Violation: No
• Likely Source of Contamination: Industrial discharge/natural sources

Fluoride

• Highest Level Detected: 0.18
• Range of Individual Samples: 0.17 - 0.18
• MCLG: 4
• MCL: 4
• Units: ppm
• Violation: No
• Likely Source of Contamination: Natural deposits & water additive

Gross Beta

• Highest Level Detected: 6.3
• Range of Individual Samples: 5.4 - 6.3
• MCLG: 0
• MCL: 50
• Units: pCi/L
• Violation: No
• Likely Source of Contamination: Decay of natural and man-made deposits

Nitrate [measured as nitrogen]

• Highest Level Detected: 0.30
• Range of Individual Samples: 0 - 0.30
• MCLG: 10
• MCL: 10
• Units: ppm
• Violation: No
• Likely Source of Contamination: Runoff & natural deposits

Lead & Copper

Lead

• Action Level (AL): 15
• 90th Percentile: 1.89
• # Sites Over AL: 0
• Units: ppb
• Violation: No
• Likely Source of Contamination: Corrosion of household plumbing

Copper

• Action Level (AL): 1.3
• 90th Percentile: 0.123
• # Sites Over AL: 0
• Units: ppm
• Violation: No
• Likely Source of Contamination: Corrosion of household plumbing

Disinfection By-Products

The values shown below represent the highest locational running annual average (LRAA) detected during 2025, along with the range of individual sample results collected throughout the system.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

• Highest Level Detected: 14
• Range of Individual Samples: 8.3 - 17.3
• MCLG: No goal for the total
• MCL: 60
• Units: ppb
• Violation: No

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)

• Highest Level Detected: 36
• Range of Individual Samples: 27.3 - 52.3
• MCLG: No goal for the total
• MCL: 80
• Units: ppb
• Violation: No

Microbiological Compliance

The City of Waco met all Total Coliform Rule (TCR) monitoring and treatment technique requirements during 2025. No Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) violations or E. coli violations occurred.

Turbidity

• Highest Combined Filter Effluent (CFE): 0.30
• Percent of Samples ≤ 0.3 NTU: 100%
• Units: NTU
• Violation: No
• Regulatory Limit: 1 NTU

Turbidity is a measurement of the cloudiness of the water and is used as an indicator of filtration effectiveness.

Total Organic Carbon

The City of Waco met all Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal requirements during 2025.

Raw Water, Lake Waco

• Range: 3.99 to 4.56
• Units: mg/L

Finished Water

• Range: 2.59 to 3.06
• Units: mg/L

Disinfectant Residual

Monochloramine

• Average Level (AL): 2.81
• Range of Levels Detected: 0.55 - 4.89
• MRDL: 4
• MRDLG: 4
• Units: ppm
• Violation: No
• Likely Source of Contamination: Water additive used to control microbes.

General Water Chemistry

The following parameters are not federally regulated primary drinking water contaminants but are provided for general informational purposes similar to reporting formats used by several large Texas utilities.

Decoding the Data

Coliform Bacteria

What is it?
Coliform bacteria are organisms present in the environment and feces of warm-blooded animals.

Where does it come from?
Surface runoff, failed septic tanks, flooding events.

What are the risks?
One variety, e. coli bacteria, can cause stomach and intestinal illness.

It’s relatively easy and inexpensive to test for coliform bacteria. Our team does 1000s of tests every year.

Inorganic Contaminants

What is it?
Inorganic contaminants consist of metals, nutrients and salts.

Where does it come from?
Can be present as a result of natural processes or manmade pollution.

What are the risks?
High levels of inorganic contaminants can cause taste, odor and health issues.

Water treatment removes and reduces the levels of inorganic contaminants.

Lead

What is it?
Lead is a naturally occurring metal.

Where does it come from?
Plumbing materials and fixtures.

What are the risks?
Exposure to lead can cause developmental delays in babies and young children.

The City of Waco has removed all known lead service lines from the system. There is a searchable online database of service line materials for Waco Water Customers

Disinfection By-Products (DBPs)

What is it?
DBPs are formed when chlorine and bromine interact with natural organic materials in water.

Where does it come from?
DBPs can be found in the air during showering and swimming or in chlorine-treated water.

What are the risks?
DBPs do not build up in the environment or the body. Health effects are unknown.

Disinfection by chloramine is one of the most important parts of water treatment. By controlling water age and turnover (i.e. keeping the water moving), the amount of DBPs in Waco Water is kept low.

What does PPM, PPB or PPT mean?

PPM (parts per million)

One part per million is about 1 cup of water in an average backyard swimming pool.

PPB (parts per billion)

One part per billion is about 1 drop of water in an average backyard swimming pool.

PPT (parts per trillion)

One part per trillion is about 1 drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Protecting Our Water

Every time it rains, stormwater flows across streets, parking lots, rooftops, and yards before entering storm drains, creeks, and streams. Unlike wastewater, stormwater is not treated before it enters local waterways.

As stormwater moves across the landscape, it can pick up pollutants such as trash, pet waste, sediment, fertilizers, automotive fluids, and other contaminants. These pollutants are carried into local waterways including Lake Waco, the North Bosque River, and the Brazos River.

Lake Waco is the primary source of drinking water for the City of Waco and surrounding communities. Protecting local waterways helps protect our drinking water supply. Cleaner source water is easier to treat, helps control treatment costs, supports healthier aquatic ecosystems, and helps maintain high quality drinking water for our community.

The City of Waco operates a stormwater management program that works to reduce pollution entering local waterways through public education, construction site inspections, industrial inspections, illicit discharge investigations, maintenance activities, and community cleanup efforts.

Protecting our waterways: When pollutants enter stormwater runoff, they can eventually reach local streams, rivers, and lakes. Reducing pollution at its source helps protect water quality, supports fish and wildlife, and helps maintain a reliable drinking water supply for our community.

Last year, City crews and citizen volunteers removed about 7,670 tons of “floatables” which includes trash, litter, and sediment from waterways, channels, floating booms, and inlets throughout the storm drainage system.

Because our roadway network is the largest systems stormwater conveyances, street sweeping remains one of our most effective pollution prevention practices. Last year, the City crews swept 6,262 curb miles and collected approximately 7,745 tons of debris from our streets before it could be carried into the storm sewer system.

Together, these efforts help protect local water quality, reduce blockages in the storm sewer system, and lower the risk of flooding across our community.

How Everyone Can Help

Everyone in our community plays a role in keeping Waco’s local lakes and rivers clean. Small everyday actions can significantly reduce the amount of trash and debris that enters the storm drainage system.

Here are a few ways residents can make a difference:

• Report illegal dumping. If you see someone dumping trash, liquids, or yard waste into streets, inlets, or waterways, report it to the City through the My Waco App so we can respond quickly.
• Dispose of trash properly. Make sure disposable cups and bottles or wrappers are secured in a trash bin—these are some of the most common items found in the storm drainage system.
• Secure your waste in a trash bag, never dispose of liquids in your solid waste bins. Keep lids closed on trash and recycling bins. Sec. 21-22. - Preparation of residential trash for collection.
• Pick up litter when you see it. Even picking up one or two items during your daily walk helps prevent them from being washed into storm drains.
• Clean up around your home. Sweep driveways, porches, and curbs instead of hosing them off. Everything washed into the street eventually travels towards our local waterways.
• Keep yard waste out of streets and storm drains. Grass clippings, leaves, and branches can clog drains, contribute to flooding, and carry nutrients and debris into local waterways. Use current City collection and disposal options. Visit the City’s Solid Waste web page for current collection instructions.
• Limit the use of single‑use plastics. Reducing use at the source lowers the amount of plastic litter entering the environment.
• Volunteer for community cleanups. Joining a neighborhood or city‑organized cleanup event helps remove large amounts of debris before it can reach waterways.

Every action helps reduce the amount of material entering the storm drainage system, protects local water quality, and supports a cleaner, safer community for everyone.

Proper Disposal of Cooking Oil & Grease

Cooking oil, grease, and fats should never be poured down sinks, drains, toilets, or garbage disposals. As grease cools, it can harden and accumulate inside household plumbing and within the City’s wastewater collection system. Over time, these accumulations can restrict wastewater flow, contribute to sewer backups in homes and businesses, and increase maintenance needs throughout the community.

Grease related blockages are one of the most common maintenance challenges faced by wastewater utilities. By keeping grease out of the sewer system, residents help protect household plumbing, reduce the risk of sewer backups, and support the long term reliability of the community’s wastewater infrastructure.

To encourage proper disposal, the City of Waco provides free public cooking oil and grease collection stations throughout the community.

These collection sites offer residents a convenient way to dispose of used cooking oil and grease rather than pouring it down a drain.

Every container of cooking oil or of grease that is properly disposed of helps protect homes, businesses, and the wastewater collection system while supporting a cleaner and more reliable community.

For more information about the City of Waco’s efforts to reduce FOG, call the Environmental Compliance Team at: (254) 750-5800.

Archived Reports

• 2024 Consumer Confidence Report
• 2023 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 2MB)
• 2022 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 5MB)
• 2021 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 4MB)
• 2020 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 686KB)
• 2019 Consumer Confidence Report(PDF, 660KB)