Report Finds Dozens Of Texas Water Systems Violate Federal Law

A report from the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a national environmental nonprofit organization, has found that more than 5,300 water systems serving 18 million people were in violation of the law at some point in 2015. Additionally, 48 of the 100 largest water systems with lead and copper levels that violated federal law are located in Texas.

Of the 10 largest water systems on the list, five are in Texas. Houston, the largest city cited in the report, had one violation in 2015. The other four large water systems found to be in violation were the El Paso Water Utilities Public Service B, Amarillo Municipal Water System, the city of Killeen and North Alamo Water Supply Corporation in Edinburg.
 
The Houston Independent School District announced this week that officials began random lead tests at district facilities in March. All five water samples were found within acceptable ranges. The announcement stated that every elementary school will be tested during the 2016-2017 school year, followed by middle schools the following year and high schools in 2018-2019.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determines that action is needed to take place if lead levels in excess of 15 parts per billion are found in at least 10 percent of the homes tested. 

This article originally published in Texas Government Insider.