Also detected, no federal limit: PFBA, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBS.
Is there PFAS in City of Temple water?
Some. At least one sample reached an EPA limit, but the average at every sampling point stayed below it.
City of Temple is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Temple, Texas, serving about 94,935 people, including Temple, Belton, Little River Academy, Troy. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 4 times across 1 sampling point between Jan 2023 and Mar 2024.
Every PFAS detected
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFBA Perfluorobutanoic acid |
2 of 4 | 7.8 ppt | 3.5 ppt | none |
| PFHxA Perfluorohexanoic acid |
2 of 4 | 7.3 ppt | 2.7 ppt | none |
| PFPeA Perfluoropentanoic acid |
2 of 4 | 6.5 ppt | 2.5 ppt | none |
| PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid |
1 of 4 | 4.9 ppt | 1.2 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxS Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid |
4 of 4 | 4.7 ppt | 4.1 ppt | 10 ppt |
| PFBS Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid |
3 of 4 | 4.2 ppt | 2.9 ppt | none |
Not detected: NEtFOSAA, NMeFOSAA, PFTrDA, PFNA, PFTA, PFOA, PFDA, PFHpA, PFDoA, PFUnA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, 9Cl-PF3ONS, PFEESA, PFHpS, ADONA, NFDHA, PFMBA, PFMPA, 8:2 FTS, 4:2 FTS, 6:2 FTS, HFPO-DA, PFPeS.
Lithium, tested in the same program: not detected.
What the EPA limits mean here
In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.
Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.
What you can do at home
Two routes work for PFAS. For drinking and cooking water only, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim is the cheapest proven option. To treat every tap and shower, a whole-house carbon system with enough contact time works, but check that the maker has PFAS test data, not just a marketing claim. See the best filters for PFAS and how PFAS removal works.
Other systems in Texas
- City of Leander 1 PFAS detected
- City of Bryan none detected
- City of Sugar Land 8 PFAS detected
- Clear Lake City Water Authority above an EPA limit
- City of Mansfield 3 PFAS detected
- City of Wichita Falls 3 PFAS detected
All 1154 tested systems in Texas
ZIP codes served
76501 76502 76504 76513 76554 76579
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Cite this page
Well & Tap. "PFAS in City of Temple water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID TX0140005. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/texas/city-of-temple/
About this data
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID TX0140005). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.