Taylor County, TX · PWSID TX2210002
City of Merkel lead service lines
45 lead or galvanized lines to replace
City of Merkel reported 0 lead and 45 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 1,269 in its inventory. That's about 1 in 28 lines. Another 883 (70%) are still listed as unknown material.
Ranks #187 of 534 Texas systems with confirmed lead lines, and #2,735 nationally.
3.5% of City of Merkel's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement. That's higher than the Texas average (1.2%) and about the same as the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0%
- Galvanized (replace) 3.5%
- Unknown 70%
- Non-lead 27%
Total service lines reported: 1,269. Reported all required service line types. Population served: 3,573; 1,379 connections.
Lead test results
City of Merkel's most recent 90th-percentile lead result (Jan 2023–Dec 2025) was not detected, below both the 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level that takes effect in 2027. This means 90% of homes sampled were at or below that level; individual homes, especially those with lead lines, can be higher.
Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported to EPA, in parts per billion. Dashed lines: 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level from November 1, 2027.
Progress since 2025 Q1
Reported lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines went from 5 in 2025 Q1 to 45 in 2026 Q3: up 40 (800%). Lines of unknown material went from 1,136 to 883, down 253 (22%).
Quarterly counts reported to EPA. A drop usually means lines were replaced or confirmed non-lead; a rise usually means more lines were identified. Replacement progress rankings.
Lead rule violations
EPA's data lists 1 Lead and Copper Rule violation since 2015 for City of Merkel. Health-based violations are treatment failures, such as corrosion control or public education; the rest are missed monitoring or reporting.
| Began | Violation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2016 | Lead consumer notice not delivered or reported | Returned to compliance |
Source: EPA SDWIS violation records for the Lead and Copper Rule.
Where the water comes from
City of Merkel's main water source is purchased surface water. It buys treated water from City of Abilene. The seller treats the water, including corrosion control that keeps lead from dissolving out of pipes, while City of Merkel is responsible for its own service line inventory and replacement program. It sells water to 1 other water system: Blair WSC.
Source: EPA SDWIS water system and facility records.
Check your own address
These counts cover the whole system. To see whether your line is lead, use the utility's address-level inventory. Utilities had to prepare one by October 16, 2024 and make it publicly accessible; systems serving more than 50,000 people must post it online.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test on the pipe where water enters your home.
Protect your drinking water now
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, filter water for drinking, cooking and baby formula. Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead. Run cold water for a few minutes after it sits for hours, and never use hot tap water for cooking.
How to pick a lead-certified filter · How to test your water for lead
Getting the line replaced
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask City of Merkel whether it replaces the private side for free or with a cost share before you hire anyone. If you want it done sooner, or your utility doesn't cover your side, a licensed plumber can quote it. What replacement costs.
County pages: Lead pipes in Taylor County
Cities served
ZIP codes served
ZIP codes whose center falls inside City of Merkel's mapped service area (EPA service area boundaries). Neighboring utilities may serve parts of the same ZIP.
79536
Other water systems nearby
| System | Lead + galv. | Unknown |
|---|---|---|
| City of Abilene | 2,157 | 0 |
| Steamboat Mountain WSC | 0 | 0 |
| Potosi WSC | 0 | 0 |
| Dyess Air Force Base | 0 | 0 |
| Tuscola Taylor County WCID 1 | 7 | 189 |
| City of Buffalo Gap | 0 | 1 |
| Blair WSC | 0 | 30 |
| City of Lawn | 10 | 0 |
Check another water system
Questions
Does City of Merkel have lead pipes?
Yes. City of Merkel reported 0 lead service lines and 45 galvanized lines that must be replaced, out of 1,269 total. 883 more are of unknown material.
How do I check if my home's service line is lead?
Look up your address on City of Merkel's official service line inventory, which utilities must make publicly available. You can also scratch the pipe where it enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and does not attract a magnet.
When will City of Merkel replace lead service lines?
Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, most systems must replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037, starting from November 1, 2027. The rule is being challenged in court, so dates could change. Many utilities run free or cost-share programs now.
Has City of Merkel had lead violations?
EPA's data shows 1 Lead and Copper Rule violation since 2015 for City of Merkel.
Which water filters remove lead?
Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction, or NSF/ANSI 58 for reverse osmosis. Check the certification on NSF's listings, not just the box.
Embed or cite this data
Local news sites, blogs and community groups can embed this card. It updates when EPA releases new data.
Citation: Lead Pipe Map, "City of Merkel lead service lines," https://leadpipemap.com/tx/city-of-merkel/. Source: EPA SDWIS service line inventory, 2026 Q3. Download the full dataset on the data page.