Also detected, no federal limit: PFPeA, PFHxA.
Is there PFAS in Maxwell WSC water?
Yes, at low levels. 2 PFAS were detected, all below EPA's 2024 limits.
Maxwell WSC is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Maxwell, Texas, serving about 16,104 people, including Martindale, Maxwell, San Marcos. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 6 times across 2 sampling points between Feb 2025 and Nov 2025.
Every PFAS detected
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFPeA Perfluoropentanoic acid |
3 of 6 | 3.8 ppt | 2.5 ppt | none |
| PFHxA Perfluorohexanoic acid |
1 of 6 | 3.7 ppt | 0.9 ppt | none |
Not detected: 6:2 FTS, PFPeS, NFDHA, PFEESA, PFMBA, PFMPA, 4:2 FTS, PFHpS, PFBA, HFPO-DA, ADONA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, PFUnA, NEtFOSAA, 8:2 FTS, NMeFOSAA, PFTrDA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOS, PFOA, PFDA, PFDoA, PFTA.
Lithium, tested in the same program: highest 9.8 ppb, detected in 2 of 6 samples. EPA's health-based screening level is 10 ppb.
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
Levels here are under EPA's limits, so no treatment is required. If you want them lower anyway, a certified reverse osmosis system under the sink handles drinking water, and a whole-house carbon filter also takes out the chlorine or chloramine your utility adds.
Other systems in Texas
- City of Gatesville 2 PFAS detected
- Hereford Municipal Water System none detected
- Talty SUD 5 PFAS detected
- City of Mount Pleasant 1 PFAS detected
- City of Sulphur Springs none detected
- City of Mercedes 1 PFAS detected
All 1154 tested systems in Texas
ZIP codes served
78655 78656 78666
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 Maxwell WSC water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID TX0280003. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/texas/maxwell-wsc/
About this data
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID TX0280003). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.