Based on EPA UCMR5 monitoring data, EPA SDWIS federal violations records, and EWG Tap Water Database published findings.
Colorado River Highland Lakes system is relatively clean. Low PFAS. Chlorination byproducts present.
Water source: Surface water (Lake Austin, Lake Travis — Colorado River)
Water utility: Austin Water Utility
Detected at approximately 1.9 ppt total per available EPA data — below the new EPA MCL of 4 ppt but above levels many health researchers consider optimal for lifetime daily consumption. Reverse osmosis filtration is recommended.
The EPA's new maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS is 4 ppt, effective 2026. PFAS compounds have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune disruption, and developmental issues at chronic exposure levels per peer-reviewed research.
The following contaminants have been detected or are associated with elevated risk in this water system, per available EPA and EWG published data:
These detections are drawn from EPA SDWIS federal violations database and EWG Tap Water Database records. EWG health guidelines are stricter than EPA legal limits and reflect long-term exposure risk.
EPA SDWIS records show 1 health-based violation(s) and 0 lead action-level violation(s) in the past 5 years at this utility. Violations reflect the legal threshold; actual health risk at sub-violation levels is addressed by EWG health guidelines used in HAVEN's scoring.
Reverse osmosis filtration is recommended — AquaTru Carafe ($149) or APEC ROES-50 under-sink RO ($250). RO removes 99%+ PFAS, lead, nitrates, arsenic, chromium, and disinfection byproducts in a single system.
Water is one of six categories HAVEN scores. Take the free 3-minute quiz to get your complete Home Health Score — mold, air quality, EMF, household chemicals, and more.
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