Sugar Land Water Quality 2026
City of Sugar Land Water Public water system · Brazos River / groundwater · UCMR5 2023–2025
Source: EPA UCMR5 (PWSID TX0790005) · EPA SDWIS · Public water system CCR
Sugar Land, Texas shows the highest peak PFAS reading of any large Texas water system in EPA UCMR5 monitoring — 672 ppt of 6:2 FTS, a compound not yet covered by the EPA's six regulated PFAS limits. PFOA was also detected at 4.1 ppt, at the federal limit for that compound. The Brazos River corridor and Fort Bend County industrial legacy are the likely sources. Standard pitcher filters are not enough; NSF 58 reverse osmosis is what actually removes forever chemicals at the tap.
See best water filters for lead removal and what filters remove PFAS.
EPA UCMR5 monitoring found 672 ppt of 6:2 FTS — the highest peak PFAS reading of any large Texas water system in the federal dataset. 6:2 FTS is not yet one of the six EPA-regulated PFAS compounds, but it is a persistent forever chemical. Only reverse osmosis (NSF 58) reliably removes it at the tap.
PFOA was detected at 4.1 ppt — at the EPA's 2024 legal limit of 4 ppt for this regulated compound. This counts as an MCL violation in federal monitoring data.
Short-chain PFAS detected at elevated levels. Not yet covered by the April 2024 EPA rule, but part of the total forever-chemical burden in Sugar Land water.
Perfluorobutanoic acid — a short-chain PFAS common in industrial runoff. No federal MCL yet; RO is still the best residential removal option.
Sugar Land water is moderately hard from Brazos River and groundwater blends. A softener helps appliances; RO addresses drinking-water contaminants including PFAS.
Sugar Land meets many federal standards, but EPA UCMR5 data shows a 672 ppt peak of 6:2 FTS and PFOA at the 4 ppt legal limit. For households concerned about forever chemicals, NSF 58 reverse osmosis at the kitchen tap is the most reliable fix.
672 ppt is the peak reading for 6:2 FTS in EPA monitoring — not a comparison to the PFOA/PFOS 4 ppt MCL. It is still one of the highest peak PFAS detections of any large Texas system in UCMR5. See our full compound table on the dynamic city report for every analyte.
No. Boiling concentrates PFAS. Only reverse osmosis, certified carbon block systems (NSF P473), or distillation remove them effectively.
Given 6:2 FTS at 672 ppt and PFOA at the EPA limit, an under-sink RO certified to NSF 58 is the gold standard. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove PFAS reliably.
Data reviewed by Joe Letorney, 30-year water treatment specialist →
Data sourced from EPA UCMR5 (TX0790005), EPA SDWIS, and public water system CCRs. Not affiliated with the City of Sugar Land. Some filter links are affiliate links.