Table of Contents
Can You Drink Tap Water in Round Rock?
Yes, Round Rock's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Round Rock has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.
According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Round Rock's water utility, City of Round Rock, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Round Rock was resolved on Sept. 30, 2011. This assessment is based on the City of Round Rock water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.
While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.
The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.
Water Quality Report for Round Rock Tap Water
The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Round Rock tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.
Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.
EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.
There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.
We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Round Rock's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.
Round Rock Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years
Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named City of Round Rock for Round Rock in Texas. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.
From July 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2011, Round Rock had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring and Reporting, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Regular which falls into the Chemicals rule code group, and the Inorganic Chemicals rule code family for the following contaminant code: Nitrate.
Is there Lead in Round Rock Water?
Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Round Rock water system, City of Round Rock, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.002 mg/L of lead in Round Rock water. This is 13.3% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Round Rock contained more lead.
While Round Rock water testing may have found 0.002 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.
No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.
Are there PFAS in Round Rock Tap Water?
Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Bergstrom Air Force Base - near Round Rock with suspected leaks.
With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Round Rock has been evaluated for yet.
Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.
Round Rock SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years
| Compliance Period | Status | Health-Based? | Category Code | Code | Rule Code | Contaminant Code | Rule Group Code | Rule Family Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/01/2011 - 09/30/2011 | Resolved | No | Monitoring and Reporting (MR) | Monitoring, Regular (03) | Nitrates (331) | Nitrate (1040) | Chemicals (300) | Inorganic Chemicals (330) |
What do these Violations Mean?
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.
Health Based Violations
- Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
- Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
- Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.
Non-Health Based Violations
- Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
- Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
- Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.
SDWA Table Key
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Compliance Period | Dates of the compliance period. |
| Status |
Current status of the violation.
|
| Health-Based? | Whether the violation is health based. |
| Category Code |
The category of violation that is reported.
|
| Code | A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table. |
| Contaminant Code | A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation. |
| Rule Code |
Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
|
| Rule Group Code |
Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
|
| Rule Family Code |
Code for rule family.
|
For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.
Round Rock Water - Frequently Asked Questions
| By Mail: | 221 E MAIN ST ROUND ROCK, TX, 78664-5271 |
Existing customers can login to their City of Round Rock account to pay their Round Rock water bill by clicking here.
If you want to pay your City of Round Rock bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Round Rock water bill.
If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Round Rock water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.
Moving to a new house or apartment in Round Rock means you will often need to put the water in your name with City of Round Rock. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.
Leaving your house or apartment in Round Rock means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with City of Round Rock. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.
The estimated price of bottled water
$1.19 in USD (1.5-liter)
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Round Rock, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Round Rock Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)
The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Round Rock's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.
2019 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
(Consumer Confidence Report)
Este reporte incluye información importante sobre el agua para tomar.
Para asistencia en español, favor de llamar al teléfono
The City of Round Rock’s water system is rated "superior" by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) – TCEQ's highest rating – and meets or exceeds all state and federal drinking water standards.
Regardless of the challenges presented by the year 2020, the City maintained essential services, and employees of the Utilities and Environmental Services Department remained committed to ensuring that customers had reliable access to safe drinking water.
The Purpose of this Report
This Consumer Confidence Report provides information about our water system, including source water, levels of detected contaminants, compliance with drinking water rules, and water quality data from the most recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) required tests.
Where Your Water Comes From
Round Rock's water supply comes from surface water and groundwater sources. Surface water is primarily supplied by Lake Georgetown, and groundwater is served by the Edwards Aquifer.
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material.
Water can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water before treatment may include microbes, inorganic contaminants, pesticides, herbicides, radioactive contaminants, and organic chemical contaminants.
To ensure tap water is safe, EPA regulations limit the amounts of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Likewise, the Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
Secondary Constituents
Secondary constituents, such as calcium, sodium, or iron, often found in drinking water, can cause taste, color, or odor problems. The State of Texas regulates these taste and odor constituents. These constituents are not causes for health concerns. Secondary constituents are not required to be reported but may affect the appearance or taste of your water.
Vulnerability to Drinking Water Contaminants
You may be more vulnerable than the general
population to certain microbial contaminants, such
as Cryptosporidium, in drinking water.
Infants, some elderly, or immunocompromised
persons such as those undergoing chemotherapy for
cancer; those who have undergone organ
transplants; those who are undergoing treatment with steroids; and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders can be particularly at risk from infections. You should seek advice about drinking water from your physician or health care provider.
Additional guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline
Water Quality
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects may be obtained by calling the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
Contaminants may be found in drinking water that may cause taste, color, or odor problems. These types of problems are not necessarily causes for health concerns. For more information on the taste, odor, or color of drinking water, please contact the City at
City of Round Rock
Website: roundrocktexas.gov/utilities Facebook: facebook.com/roundrock Utilities Division:
Water Quality Questions:
Billing Questions:
EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline
http://water.epa.gov/drink/hotline/index.cfm
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Source Water Assessment
TCEQ completed an assessment of Round Rock's source water, and results indicate that some of our sources are susceptible to certain contaminants. The sampling requirements for our water system are based on this susceptibility and previous sample data. Any detection of these contaminants will be found in this Consumer Confidence Report. For more information on source water assessments and protection efforts at our system, please contact the City at
Water Loss
In the water loss audit submitted to the Texas Water Development Board for the time period of January - December 2020, our system lost an estimated 7.74% of total water produced. If you have questions about the water loss audit, please call
Water Hardness
Many consumers believe that their water must be softened to prevent damage to plumbing and fixtures. This is untrue. The average water hardness in Round Rock is 239 mg/L or approximately 13.95 grains per gallon. While this level of hardness may cause minor, aesthetic problems such as water spots and dry skin, it does not cause damage to plumbing.
The City routinely performs laboratory tests to measure the stability of the drinking water. Stability refers to whether the water is aggressive or depositional. Test results indicate that Round Rock's drinking water, as delivered to your home, is stable.
Your Participation is Welcome
The Round Rock City Council meets on the second and fourth Thursday at 6 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers, 221 E. Main St. Council meetings are open to the public with opportunities for residents to comment on any city- related issue. Visit roundrocktexas.gov/council for details.
Watershed Protection
Stormwater runoff is rain that did not absorb into the ground. Instead, it runs over driveways, parking lots, and streets picking up litter, pet waste, and other harmful pollutants as it flows into the storm drain. Once this polluted stormwater enters the storm sewer system, it flows downstream to the nearest creek, lake, or river. No filtration. No treatment.
With your help, we can keep Round Rock's creeks clean!
- Keep storm drains free of yard waste and debris
- Pick up after your pets
- Dispose of paint, fertilizers, and hazardous waste at an HHW collection roundrocktexas.gov/hhw
- Never sweep or dump anything down storm drains Learn more at roundrocktexas.gov/stormwater
"Grease and Wipes Clog Pipes”
Grease and wipes cause major problems in the wastewater (sewer) system, clog sewer pipes in homes, and cause sewer backups and overflows.
Grease may go in as a liquid, but it cools and hardens into a
Protect your home and the quality of our water. Only flush toilet paper and put grease and wipes in the trash. roundrocktexas.gov/wastewaterathome
Summer Watering 2021
Water conservation protects the integrity of Round Rock’s water supply facilities and prolongs the life of existing water sources. The City’s conservation efforts continue to grow through rebates on water efficient products and services, discounted rain barrel sales twice per year, free irrigation evaluations and several educational programs to help residents use water more efficiently.
Most water usage in Round Rock happens during the summer months for outdoor uses. The easiest way to reduce your water consumption is to water your yard only when needed and fix any water leaks. You can also replace your traditional irrigation controller with a
The City implemented a new watering schedule in January 2021, spreading watering days out over seven days rather than six to better balance water usage throughout the week. The best time to water is before noon or after 7 p.m. The watering schedule is voluntary unless drought restrictions are in place; however, the City recommends you follow the schedule even when no drought restrictions are in effect.
The City’s website provides information and resources to encourage smart watering at home. Residents can request free leak detection kits, save money on water efficient appliances and fixtures and find new tools and information at roundrocktexas.gov/conservation.
You can see your daily and hourly water use online at our customer water portal RRTXwater.com.
- 2 -
2020 Drinking Water Quality Results
The following table lists the regulated and monitored chemical constituents found in our drinking water. The EPA requires water systems to test for up to 97 federally regulated primary constituents.
Inorganic Constituents
Year |
Constituent |
High |
Low |
Average |
MCL |
MCLG |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
2020 |
Barium |
0.0439 |
0.0439 |
0.0439 |
2 |
2 |
ppm |
N |
Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; |
|
Erosion of natural deposit |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
2020 |
Cyanide |
90 |
50 |
70 |
200 |
200 |
ppb |
N |
Discharge from plastic, fertilizer and steel/metal factories |
|
2020 |
Fluoride |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
4 |
4 |
ppm |
N |
Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive which promotes |
|
strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
2020 |
Nitrate |
1.47 |
0.09 |
0.587 |
10 |
10 |
ppm |
N |
Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, |
|
(measured as Nitrogen) |
sewage; Erosion of natural deposits |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should seek advice from your health care provider.
Radioactive Constituents
Year |
Constituent |
High |
Low |
Average |
MCL |
MCLG |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
2017 |
Combined Radium |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
pCi/L |
N |
Erosion of natural deposits |
Lead and Copper in Distribution System
Date |
Constituent |
90th |
Sites Exceeding |
Action |
MCLG |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
Percentile |
Action Level |
Level |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Corrosion of household plumbing |
||||
7/2020 |
Lead |
3.4 |
2 of 100 |
15 |
0 |
ppb |
N |
||
systems; Erosion of natural deposits |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
7/2020 |
Copper |
0.25 |
0 of 100 |
1.3 |
1.3 |
ppm |
N |
Erosion of natural deposits; Leaching from wood |
|
preservatives; Corrosion of household plumbing systems |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. We are responsible for providing
Disinfectant Residual
Year |
Constituent |
High |
Low |
Average |
MRDL |
MCLG |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
2020 |
Chloramine |
3.65 |
1.50 |
2.95 |
4 |
4 |
ppm |
N |
Water additive used to control microbes |
Disinfectant
Year |
Constituent |
High |
Low |
Max LRAA |
MCL |
MCLG |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
2020 |
Total Trihalomethanes |
53 |
8.2 |
52.45 |
80 |
NA |
ppb |
N |
|
2020 |
Haloacetic Acids |
17 |
1.30 |
13.45 |
60 |
NA |
ppb |
N |
Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
Year |
Constituent |
High |
Low |
Average |
MCL |
MCLG |
Units |
Likely Source of Contamination |
2020 |
TOC (Raw Water) |
3.23 |
2.60 |
2.87 |
TT |
NA |
ppm |
Naturally occurring organic material. There is no health |
2020 |
TOC (Treated Water) |
2.89 |
2.23 |
2.51 |
TT |
NA |
ppm |
effect directly associated with TOC. Removal through |
treatment averaged 12.60%. |
Turbidity
Year |
Constituent |
High |
Low |
Average |
MCL |
MCLG |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
2020 |
Turbidity |
0.11 |
0.03 |
0.056 |
0.3 |
NA |
NTU |
N |
Soil runoff |
Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of
- 3 -
Unregulated Contaminants
Year |
Constituent |
High |
Low |
Average |
MCL |
MCLG |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
2020 |
Dibromochloromethane |
24.6 |
1.3 |
18.66 |
None Established |
ppb |
N |
Unregulated contaminants are those for which |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
2020 |
Chloroform |
9.1 |
<1 |
5.44 |
None Established |
ppb |
N |
EPA has not established drinking water |
||
standards. The purpose of unregulated |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
2020 |
Bromoform |
10 |
<1 |
6.15 |
None Established |
ppb |
N |
contaminant monitoring is to assist EPA in |
||
determining their occurrence in drinking water |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
2020 |
Bromodichloromethane |
17.9 |
<1 |
13.07 |
None Established |
ppb |
N |
and if future regulation is warranted. |
||
|
||||||||||
Coliform Bacteria
Year Constituent Highest % of
Positive Samples
2020 |
Total Coliform |
2.7% |
2020 |
Fecal Coliform |
0 |
MCL
5% of monthly samples are positive
Routine or repeat sample is coliform positive, and one is also fecal positive
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
Presence |
N |
Naturally present in the environment |
Presence |
N |
Naturally present in the environment |
Total coliform bacteria are used as indicators of microbial contamination of drinking water because testing for them is easy. While not
Fecal coliform bacteria and, in particular, E. coli, are members of the coliform bacteria group originating in the intestinal tract of
Secondary and Other Constituents Not Regulated
Year |
Constituent |
High |
Low |
Average |
Secondary Limit |
Units |
Violation |
Likely Source of Contamination |
2020 |
Aluminum |
0.198 |
0.198 |
0.198 |
ppm |
N |
Naturally occurring element |
|
2020 |
Calcium |
49.3 |
49.3 |
49.3 |
NA |
ppm |
N |
Naturally occurring element |
2020 |
Chloride |
49.7 |
22.5 |
35.41 |
300 |
ppm |
N |
Naturally occurring element |
2020 |
pH |
7.93 |
6.99 |
7.65 |
> 7.0 |
units |
N |
Measure of corrosivity of water |
2020 |
Sodium |
26.6 |
13.7 |
20.63 |
NA |
ppm |
N |
Naturally occurring element |
2020 |
Sulfate |
43 |
24.3 |
33.28 |
300 |
ppm |
N |
Naturally occurring material |
2020 |
Hardness |
340 |
160 |
239 |
NA |
ppm |
N |
Naturally occurring calcium and magnesium |
2020 |
Total Alkalinity |
186 |
130 |
161 |
NA |
ppm |
N |
Naturally soluble mineral salts |
2020 |
Total Dissolved Solids |
309 |
257 |
285.7 |
1000 |
ppm |
N |
Total dissolved mineral constituents in water |
Definitions
Action Level (AL) – The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Level 1 Assessment – A study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria were found.
Level 2 Assessment – A very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an Escherichia coli (E. coli) MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria were found on multiple occasions.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) – The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) – The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected health risk. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) – The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG) – The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
Treatment Technique (TT) – A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Abbreviations
LRAA – locational running annual average MPN – most probable number per 100 milliliters NA – not applicable
NTU – nephelometric turbidity units (a measure of turbidity) pCi/L – picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity) ppb – parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (ug/L) ppm – parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/L)
ppq – parts per quadrillion, or picograms per liter (pg/L) ppt – parts per trillion, or nanograms per liter (ng/L)
- 4 -
Contaminants
City of Round Rock
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility details
- Serves: 107158
- Data available: 2012-2017
- Data Source: Surface water
- Total: 26
Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines
- Bromodichloromethane
- Bromoform
- Chloroform
- Dibromochloromethane
- Dichloroacetic acid
- Nitrate
- Nitrate and nitrite
- Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
- Trichloroacetic acid
Other Detected Contaminants
- Aluminum
- Atrazine
- Barium
- Bromochloroacetic acid
- Chlorate
- Chromium (hexavalent)
- Cyanide
- Dibromoacetic acid
- Fluoride
- Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
- Hexadecanoic acid
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Monobromoacetic acid
- Monochloroacetic acid
- Strontium
- Vanadium
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.
Sources and Resources
Sources Cited
Additional Resources
Is tap water safe to drink in Round Rock?
Yes, Round Rock’s tap water is generally considered safe to drink as it met the EPA’s water quality mandates in its 2020 Water Quality Report. From April 1, 2018 to June 30, 2021 Round Rock’s City of Round Rock has had no Safe Drinking Water Act Violation. One should not get sick from drinking Round Rock tap water.
Though Round Rock’s tap water is generally safe to drink, one should consider the possible safety impacts of low levels of regulated contaminants, unregulated contaminants, and water quality issues caused by severe weather.
While Round Rock’s tap water is generally safe to drink, long-term residents may consider using water filters for their everyday drinking, as the EPA is still assessing the health impacts of long-term exposure to certain contaminants that they do not yet have regulations for, and long term exposure to certain contaminants which are already regulated, but below the currently acceptable levels.
Where Does Round Rock Tap Water Come From?
According to Round Rock’s 2020 Water Quality Report, City of Round Rock obtains water for its customers from several sources:
Lake Georgetown
Round Rock’s water supply comes from surface water and groundwater sources. Surface water is primarily supplied by Lake Georgetown, and groundwater is served by the Edwards Aquifer. The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material. Water can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity. Contaminants that may be present in source water before treatment may include: microbes, inorganic contaminants, pesticides, herbicides, radioactive contaminants, and organic chemical contaminants.
Main Contaminants Found in Round Rock Tap Water
As we mentioned above, Round Rock tap water meets the requirements set by the EPA. For more precise information please see their 2020 Water Quality Report. Though Round Rock drinking water meets EPA standards that does not mean it is contaminant free as there are levels that the EPA considers acceptable. Though the EPA regulated contaminants must meet a certain threshold for the city’s water to be deemed acceptable, many are still present in the drinking water at some level. The EPA continues to evaluate the long term impacts of these chemicals as more research is available. For example, the rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.
Additionally, there are a number of “emerging” contaminants that the EPA has not determined acceptable levels for and is currently researching. For example, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are also called ‘forever chemicals’ since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time. We do not yet fully understand the dangers of PFAS as they are currently being investigated. We do not have any information on PFAS in Round Rock’s drink water, so there may be a risk of contamination.
Lead piping is another potential source of contamination for many homes, both through service lines and in your home. The National Resource Defense Council has a great walk-through on how to determine if you may have lead service lines.
So while Round Rock’s tap water does meet the requirements set by the EPA, it still makes sense to try to purify the tap water further to reduce contaminants to lower levels.