City of Port Lavaca water quality report, rewritten
- Serves
- 12,000
- Connections
- 6,600
- Water source
- Surface water bought from another system
- Based in
- Port Lavaca, TX
- County
- Calhoun
- Owner
- Local government
The ZIP code it serves
PWSID TX02900022026 edition · EPA data
Read this first
- PFOA (above the health goal) was found in two of 4 samples, highest 6.0 ppt. Above the 4.0 ppt legal limit in at least one sample. Compliance is judged on a running annual average, not one sample.
- PFOS (above the health goal) was found in one of 4 samples, highest 4.7 ppt. Above the 4.0 ppt legal limit in at least one sample. Compliance is judged on a running annual average, not one sample.
- Lithium (above EPA’s health benchmark) was found in three of 4 samples, highest 14.9 ppb. Above EPA’s health reference level of 10 ppb, a screening level rather than an enforceable limit.
- Lead (above the health goal) In the latest period, 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below 2.3 ppb, below the 15 ppb action level. The action level drops to 10 ppb on Nov. 1, 2027. EPA’s health goal for lead is zero.
24 health-based violations since 2016. Details are below.
What handles itWhat was found
Highlighted: above the health goal, or EPA’s health benchmark where there is no goal. Circled: above the legal limit in at least one sample, or the action level. Every scale puts that line at its middle.
PFOA (above the health goal)
Comes from the source
6.0 (above the legal limit in at least one sample)ppt
Highest of 4 samples; found in two
Above the 4.0 ppt legal limit in at least one sample. Compliance is judged on a running annual average, not one sample.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53Look for: PFOA ReductionSame claim, other certifiers’ wording: Total PFAS Reduction; Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
- NSF/ANSI 58Look for: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
NSF’s PFAS claims are tested to below 20 ppt. EPA’s limit is 4.0 ppt, and EPA says no certification yet shows a filter reaching its levels.
EPA UCMR 5, samples taken from April 18, 2023 to Jan. 22, 2024. Each blue tick is one sample where it was found.
PFOS (above the health goal)
Comes from the source
4.7 (above the legal limit in at least one sample)ppt
Highest of 4 samples; found in one
Above the 4.0 ppt legal limit in at least one sample. Compliance is judged on a running annual average, not one sample.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53Look for: PFOS ReductionSame claim, other certifiers’ wording: Total PFAS Reduction; Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)
- NSF/ANSI 58Look for: Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS)
NSF’s PFAS claims are tested to below 20 ppt. EPA’s limit is 4.0 ppt, and EPA says no certification yet shows a filter reaching its levels.
EPA UCMR 5, samples taken on April 18, 2023. Each blue tick is one sample where it was found.
Lithium (above EPA’s health benchmark)
Comes from the source
14.9ppb
Highest of 4 samples; found in three
Above EPA’s health reference level of 10 ppb, a screening level rather than an enforceable limit.
What handles it
No certification claim covers this compound yet.
EPA UCMR 5, samples taken from April 18, 2023 to Jan. 22, 2024. Each blue tick is one sample where it was found.
Lead (above the health goal)
Comes from pipes, often your own
2.3ppb
90th percentile, 2024
In the latest period, 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below 2.3 ppb, below the 15 ppb action level. The action level drops to 10 ppb on Nov. 1, 2027. EPA’s health goal for lead is zero.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53Look for: Lead Reduction
- NSF/ANSI 58Look for: Lead Reduction
EPA SDWIS, lead and copper monitoring periods ending 2010 to 2024. The pointer marks the latest period; each blue tick is an earlier one.
PFHxS
Comes from the source
7.2ppt
Highest of 4 samples; found in three
Detected, below the legal limit and the health goal.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53Look for: Total PFAS ReductionSame claim, other certifiers’ wording: Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid (PFHxS)
NSF’s PFAS claims are tested to below 20 ppt. EPA’s limit is 10 ppt, and EPA says no certification yet shows a filter reaching its levels.
EPA UCMR 5, samples taken from April 18, 2023 to Aug. 14, 2024. Each blue tick is one sample where it was found.
PFBS
Comes from the source
6.5ppt
Highest of 4 samples; found in two
Below EPA’s hazard index benchmark of 2,000 ppt. PFBS has no legal limit or health goal of its own.
What handles it
- NSF/ANSI 53Look for: Total PFAS Reduction
EPA UCMR 5, samples taken from Jan. 22, 2024 to Aug. 14, 2024. Each blue tick is one sample where it was found.
Also found, with no federal limit
EPA measured these PFAS to learn how often they occur. None has a legal limit or a health goal yet.
| Compound | Highest sample | Found in | Certification claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFPeA | 16.3 ppt | 4 of 4 | None covers it |
| PFBA | 14.2 ppt | 4 of 4 | None covers it |
| PFHxA | 10 ppt | 4 of 4 | None covers it |
Tested and not found
Below EPA’s minimum reporting level in every sample taken from April 18, 2023 to Aug. 14, 2024. Not found means not measured above that level, which is not the same as zero.
All 22 compounds tested and not found
- 11Cl-PF3OUdS
- 4:2 FTS
- 6:2 FTS
- 8:2 FTS
- 9Cl-PF3ONS
- ADONA
- HFPO-DA (GenX)
- NEtFOSAA
- NFDHA
- NMeFOSAA
- PFDA
- PFDoA
- PFEESA
- PFHpA
- PFHpS
- PFMBA
- PFMPA
- PFNA
- PFPeS
- PFTA
- PFTrDA
- PFUnA
Violations since 2016
| Contaminant or rule | Type | Period | Measured | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026 | 0.12 MG/L | Unaddressed |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026 | 0.11 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 | 0.11 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2025 | 0.11 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025 | 0.11 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025 | 0.1 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2024 | 0.1 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2024 | 0.12 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024 | 0.12 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024 | 0.13 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023 | 0.13 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2023 | 0.096 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 | 0.097 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 | 0.093 MG/L | Archived |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2021 | 0.084 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021 | 0.089 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021 | 0.081 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019 | 0.081 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2018 | 0.084 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | April 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018 | 0.083 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Jan. 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018 | 0.086 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | Oct. 1, 2017 to Dec. 31, 2017 | 0.088 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2017 to Sept. 30, 2017 | 0.082 MG/L | Resolved |
| TTHM | The running average was above the legal limit.EPA: Maximum Contaminant Level Violation, Average | July 1, 2016 to Sept. 30, 2016 | 0.086 MG/L | Resolved |
| Health-based violations only. Resolved and archived mean the utility returned to compliance or the state closed the record. 14 monitoring or reporting violations not shown. | ||||
What handles it
A certification covers specific claims, not a whole standard. Look for these claims on the certifier’s listing, not the box. Wording varies a little: NSF writes “Lead Reduction,” WQA just “Lead.”
- NSF/ANSI 53
Claims: PFOA Reduction, PFOS Reduction, Lead Reduction
For: PFOA, PFOS, Lead
- NSF/ANSI 58
Claims: Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), Lead Reduction
For: PFOA, PFOS, Lead
At the tap, or for the whole house?
Lead and copper usually come from pipes and fixtures inside or near your home. A whole-house system sits where water enters, so it cannot catch what your own plumbing adds after it. For those, the filter that counts is the one at the tap. How whole-house systems compare.
Filters with those claims on a certifier’s listing
TapBuff earns a commission if you buy through some links on this page. It does not change which standard or filter we name. As an Amazon Associate, TapBuff earns from qualifying purchases. How TapBuff makes money
ZeroWater 10 Cup Pitcher (ZP-010)
Pitcher
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: PFOA, PFOS, Lead
Aquasana Claryum Direct Connect (AQ-MF-1)
Under-sink carbon
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: PFOA, PFOS, Lead
Under-sink reverse osmosis
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: PFOA, PFOS, Lead
Countertop reverse osmosis
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 58NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: PFOA, PFOS, Lead
PUR PLUS 11-Cup Pitcher (PPT111W)
Pitcher
- NSF listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
- WQA listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
- IAPMO listing:NSF/ANSI 42NSF/ANSI 53NSF/ANSI 401checked Oct. 4, 2026
Certified for: PFOA, PFOS, Lead
What this report cannot tell you
- Levels of everything else. Federal bulk data carries results for PFAS, lithium, lead and copper, and violations for the rest. Nitrate, arsenic, disinfection byproducts and other levels are in City of Port Lavaca’s own annual report, which it must send you every year.
- Your own plumbing. Lead results are the 90th percentile across homes the utility samples. Your home’s service line, solder and fixtures decide yours. A certified lab test is the only way to know.
- Anything after the latest data. SDWIS data is from 2026 Q2; UCMR 5 samples are from April 18, 2023 to Aug. 14, 2024.
What to do next
Read up on the 4 marked results
What each one does to health, where it comes from, and the certification claim that addresses it.
Start with PFOAGet the utility’s own report
City of Port Lavaca must send you a water quality report every year. It lists nitrate, arsenic and byproduct levels this page cannot.
How to read itTest your own tap for lead
Your service line, solder and fixtures decide the lead at your faucet, not the utility’s average.
Lead in your water: what to doCompare certified filters
What the filters certified for these results cost over five years, cartridges included.
Compare five-year costs
Other Texas utilities
- City of Houston3 million
- San Antonio Water System2.6 million
- Dallas Water Utility1.4 million
- City of Austin Water & Wastewater1.1 million
- City of Fort Worth955,900
- El Paso Water Utilities747,168
- City of Arlington413,955
- City of Corpus Christi318,387
- City of Plano292,059
- Lubbock Public Water System275,041
- City of Irving264,546
- City of Laredo260,046
Sources
- EPA UCMR 5 occurrence data, file of Aug. 27, 2026
- EPA SDWA bulk download (SDWIS federal data), 2026 Q2
- Limits and goals: each contaminant’s page, with its EPA source.
- How this page is built: methodology.