City of Hillsboro
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 2021 - March 2021), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility Details
- Hillsboro, Texas
- Serves: 8,456
- Data available: 2014-2020*
- Source: Purchased surface water
* 2020/2021 testing is for chemicals in EPA's Fourth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR-4) only.
Contaminants Detected
15
EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES
28 Total Contaminants
- Legal does not necessarily equal safe. Getting a passing grade from the federal government does not mean the water meets the latest health guidelines.
- Legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years.
- The best way to ensure clean tap water is to keep pollution out of source water in the first place.
Legal ≠ Safe
EWG Health Guidelines fill the gap in outdated government standards.
The federal government’s legal limits are not health-protective. The EPA has not set a new tap water standard in almost 20 years, and some standards are more than 40 years old.
Contaminants Detected
Arsenic*
Potential Effect: cancer46x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEArsenic
more aboutthis contaminant
Arsenic is a potent carcinogen and common contaminant in drinking water. Arsenic causes thousands of cases of cancer each year in the U.S. Click here to read more about arsenic.
Arsenic was found at 46 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.004 ppb for arsenic was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Industry

Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange
Atrazine*
Potential Effect: harm to the developing fetus5.2x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEAtrazine
more aboutthis contaminant
Atrazine is a herbicide commonly detected in drinking water that comes from cornfield and other agricultural runoff. It is a hormone disrupter that harms the male and female reproductive systems of people and wildlife.
Atrazine was found at 5.2 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for atrazine was defined by EWG based on epidemiological studies of human exposure to atrazine in drinking water.. This health guideline protects against harm to the developing fetus, harm to the reproductive system and hormone disruption.
Pollution Sources

Agriculture
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Bromochloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: 296x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEBromochloroacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Bromochloroacetic acid is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromochloroacetic acid and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.
Bromochloroacetic acid was found at 296 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.02 ppb for bromochloroacetic acid was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a on-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Bromodichloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer59x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEBromodichloromethane
more aboutthis contaminant
Bromodichloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromodichloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Bromodichloromethane was found at 59 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for bromodichloromethane was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Chlorite*
Potential Effect: change in blood chemistry11x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEChlorite
more aboutthis contaminant
Chlorite is a disinfection byproduct resulting from water treatment with chlorine dioxide. Chlorite decreases hemoglobin levels and causes other hematologic effects.
Chlorite was found at 11 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 50 ppb for chlorite was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against change in blood chemistry.
Pollution Sources

Industry

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Chloroform
Potential Effect: cancer17x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEChloroform
more aboutthis contaminant
Chloroform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Chloroform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.
Chloroform was found at 17 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.4 ppb for chloroform was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Dibromoacetic acid
Potential Effect: 50x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEDibromoacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Dibromoacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Dibromoacetic acid was found at 50 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.04 ppb for dibromoacetic acid was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a on-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Dibromochloromethane
Potential Effect: cancer12x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEDibromochloromethane
more aboutthis contaminant
Dibromochloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Dibromochloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Dibromochloromethane was found at 12 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for dibromochloromethane was proposed in 2018 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Dichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer69x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEDichloroacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Dichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Dichloroacetic acid was found at 69 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.2 ppb for dichloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†
Potential Effect: cancer206x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEHaloacetic acids (HAA5)
more aboutthis contaminant
Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) was found at 206 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)†
Potential Effect: cancer450x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEHaloacetic acids (HAA9)
more aboutthis contaminant
Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of nine haloacetic acids includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid, which are regulated as a group by the federal government (HAA5); and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid, and tribromoacetic acid.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) was found at 450 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for the group of nine haloacetic acids, or HAA9, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level as . This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Nitrate
Potential Effect: cancer6.8x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINENitrate
more aboutthis contaminant
Nitrate, a fertilizer chemical, frequently contaminates drinking water due to agricultural and urban runoff, and discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. Excessive nitrate in water can cause oxygen deprivation in infants and increase the risk of cancer. Click here to read more about nitrate.
Nitrate was found at 6.8 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppm = parts per million
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.14 ppm for nitrate was defined by EWG . This health guideline protects against cancer and harm to fetal growth and development.
Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange
Nitrate and nitrite
Potential Effect: cancer4.9x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINENitrate and nitrite
more aboutthis contaminant
Nitrate and nitrite enter water from fertilizer runoff, septic tanks and urban runoff. These contaminants can cause oxygen deprivation for infants and increase the risk of cancer. Nitrite is significantly more toxic than nitrate. Click here to read more about nitrate.
Nitrate and nitrite was found at 4.9 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppm = parts per million
Health Risks
The health guideline of 0.14 parts per million, or ppm, for nitrate and nitrite is based on the equivalent health guideline for nitrate, as defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG. This guideline represents a one-in-one-million annual cancer risk level.Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†
Potential Effect: cancer76x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINETotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
more aboutthis contaminant
Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. The total trihalomethanes group includes four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) was found at 76 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The health guideline of 0.15 parts per billion, or ppb, for the group of four trihalomethanes, or THM4/TTHM, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-one-million lifetime cancer risk level.Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Trichloroacetic acid
Potential Effect: cancer26x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINETrichloroacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Trichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
Trichloroacetic acid was found at 26 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for trichloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.a one-in-a-million lifetime risk of cancer. Values greater than one-in-a-million cancer risk level can result in increased cancer cases above one in a million people.
Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Includes chemicals detected in 2017-2019 for which annual utility averages exceeded an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; chemicals detected under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4) program in 2017 to 2020 (and subsequent testing when available), for which annual utility averages exceeded a health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority.
*This water utility buys or otherwise receives some or all of its finished water from Aquilla WSD. Tap water results marked with an * are from the supplying utility.
† HAA5 is a contaminant group that includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. HAA9 is a contaminant group that includes the chemicals in HAA5 and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid and tribromoacetic acid. TTHM is a contaminant group that includes bromodichloromethane, bromoform, chloroform and dibromochloromethane.
Acetone
more aboutthis contaminant
Acetone is a solvent used for many industrial purposes.
How your levels compare
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring
Aluminum
more aboutthis contaminant
Aluminum is a metal released from metal refineries and mining operations. Too much aluminum exposure can impair children's brain development.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 600 ppb for aluminum was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against harm to the brain and nervous system.
Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis
Barium is a mineral present in rocks, soil and water. High concentrations of barium in drinking water increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 700 ppb for barium was defined by EWG as benchmark that protects against harm to the kidneys and the cardiovascular system.
Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange
Butachlor
more aboutthis contaminant
Butachlor is a herbicide that is no longer used in the U.S.
How your levels compare
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Pollution Sources

Agriculture
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Chromium (total)
more aboutthis contaminant
Chromium is a naturally occurring metal, but industrial uses can elevate its levels in water. One form, hexavalent chromium, causes cancer. Total chromium is not a good indicator of the amount of hexavalent chromium in drinking water.
How your levels compare
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange
Cyanide
more aboutthis contaminant
Cyanide is a toxic chemical that causes central nervous system and thyroid toxicity. Water contamination is generally the result of metal mining and chemical industry waste, runoff from agriculture and road salts used for melting ice.
How your levels compare
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange
Fluoride
more aboutthis contaminant
Fluoride occurs naturally in surface and groundwater and is also added to drinking water by many water systems.
How your levels compare
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppm = parts per million
Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis
Manganese
more aboutthis contaminant
Manganese is a naturally occurring element that is common in food and drinking water. Excessive manganese exposures may impair children's attention, memory and intellectual capacity. Click here to read more about manganese.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 100 ppb for manganese was defined by the state of Minnesota as a health risk limit, the concentration of a contaminant that can be consumed with little or no risk to health. This health guideline protects against harm to the brain and nervous system.
Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options

Ion Exchange
Methyl ethyl ketone
more aboutthis contaminant
Methyl ethyl ketone is a volatile solvent used in paints, adhesives, and other industrial and consumer goods.
How your levels compare
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Metolachlor
more aboutthis contaminant
Metolachlor is a herbicide applied on corn, soybeans and other crops. The EPA has classified metolachlor as a possible human carcinogen.
How your levels compare
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Pollution Sources

Agriculture
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Monobromoacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Monobromoacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 25 ppb for monobromoacetic acid was proposed in 2020 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.. This health guideline protects against muscular degeneration.
Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Monochloroacetic acid
more aboutthis contaminant
Monochloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 53 ppb for monochloroacetic acid was proposed in 2020 by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk.. This health guideline protects against system toxicity.
Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Xylenes (total)
more aboutthis contaminant
Xylenes are solvents used in industrial and consumer products, such as cleaning agents and paint thinners. Xylenes cause nervous system damage and may harm developing fetuses.
How your levels compare
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 1,800 ppb for xylenes was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against harm to the brain and nervous system.
Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl
Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis
Includes chemicals detected in 2017-2019 for which annual utility averages were lower than an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authori.
Other Contaminants Tested
✕City of Hillsboro compliance with legally mandated federal standards:
- From April 2019 to March 2021, City of Hillsboro complied with health-based drinking water standards.
- 10 QUARTERSin violation of any federal drinking water standard from April 2019 to March 2021
Information in this section on City of Hillsboro comes from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online database (ECHO).
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS UTILITYWater Filters That Can Reduce Contaminant Levels
Contaminant | Activated Carbon | Reverse Osmosis | Ion Exchange |
CONTAMINANTS ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES | |||
Arsenic | ✔ | ✔ | |
Atrazine | ✔ | ✔ | |
Bromochloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
Bromodichloromethane | ✔ | ✔ | |
Chlorite | ✔ | ✔ | |
Chloroform | ✔ | ✔ | |
Dibromoacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
Dibromochloromethane | ✔ | ✔ | |
Dichloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Nitrate | ✔ | ✔ | |
Nitrate & nitrite | ✔ | ✔ | |
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Trichloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED | |||
Acetone | |||
Aluminum | ✔ | ||
Barium | ✔ | ✔ | |
Butachlor | ✔ | ✔ | |
Chromium (total) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Cyanide | ✔ | ✔ | |
Fluoride | ✔ | ||
Manganese | ✔ | ||
Methyl ethyl ketone | ✔ | ✔ | |
Metolachlor | ✔ | ✔ | |
Monobromoacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
Monochloroacetic acid | ✔ | ✔ | |
Xylenes (total) | ✔ | ✔ |
Take Action
Contact Your Local Official
One of the best ways to push for cleaner water is to hold accountable the elected officials who have a say in water quality – from city hall and the state legislature to Congress all the way to the Oval Office – by asking questions and demanding answers.
LEARN MOREFilter Out Contaminants
Check out our recommendations for filters to protect your water against the detected contaminants.
EWG’S WATER FILTER GUIDE