Contaminant guide
Arsenic
Arsenic can occur naturally in some groundwater or from industrial/agricultural sources. Texas has regions where groundwater arsenic is a known concern.
Health context
Long-term exposure is linked to skin, bladder, and lung cancers, and cardiovascular disease.
EPA standard notes
EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for arsenic is 10 µg/L (0.010 mg/L).
Standards and rules change—confirm on epa.gov/sdwa.
What you can do
- Review your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report (CCR).
- Private well owners should test—city data does not cover private wells.
- Reverse osmosis and some adsorptive media systems can reduce arsenic when properly certified and maintained.
FAQ
Is a filter required?
Not automatically. Many systems meet standards without point-of-use filters. Filters can be useful for taste, specific contaminants, or home plumbing issues—match certifications to the problem.
Where should I verify numbers?
Your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report, public notices, TCEQ resources, and EPA ECHO/SDWIS records.