Water Treatment in Houston, Texas: Why It Matters and How Culligan Can Help
Living in Houston, Texas, offers many benefits—being the largest city in the Lone Star State, it boasts a rich history, diverse culture, and a vibrant community. However, when it comes to water quality, Houston faces challenges due to its unique water infrastructure and increasing demand for clean water. Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, understanding Houston Water and how to ensure quality drinking water is essential for your health, appliances, and overall peace of mind. That’s where Culligan of Houston comes in.
Understanding Houston’s Water Quality Issues
Houston’s water supply is sourced from surface water reservoirs such as Lake Houston, Lake Livingston, and Lake Conroe, as well as groundwater. Houston’s water treatment plants work diligently to provide safe drinking water that meets federal standards, but challenges remain. As the city grows—thanks to both population growth and a rapidly expanding immigrant population—the demand for clean, high-quality water continues to rise, putting strain on the water infrastructure.
Some of the most common water quality issues in Houston include:
- Hard Water: Houston’s tap water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, causing scale buildup on appliances, plumbing, and fixtures. This can lead to appliance damage, reduced water pressure, and decreased efficiency. Many residents turn to water softeners to prevent these issues and ensure their appliances last longer.
- Disinfection Byproducts: In the disinfection process, chemicals like chlorine and chloramine are used at Houston’s water treatment plants to disinfect water. These chemicals, while effective in killing harmful pathogens, can leave behind disinfection byproducts (DBPs) that affect the taste and smell of the water.
- Heavy Metals and Contaminants: Although Houston Water strives to meet federal safety standards, trace amounts of heavy metals such as lead, copper, and arsenic can occasionally be found in the water supply due to aging infrastructure or natural deposits in surface water sources.
- Wastewater Treatment: While Houston’s wastewater treatment facilities, such as the East Water Purification Plant, work to treat and recycle wastewater, occasional lapses in infrastructure maintenance or treatment could impact overall water quality.
Breakdown of Houston Water Contaminants
Houston’s drinking water is treated at water treatment plants and wastewater treatment plants to meet the safety standards set by the EPA. However, it’s essential to consider additional filtration if the water quality doesn’t meet your standards. According to the 2023 Houston Water Quality Report and the Environmental Working Group (EWG), here’s a breakdown of specific contaminants and their levels compared to both EPA guidelines and EWG health recommendations:
- Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs):
- Detected Level: 14.1 parts per billion (ppb)
- EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): 80 ppb
- EWG Health Guideline: 0.15 ppb
- TTHMs are byproducts of the disinfection process and have been linked to health risks over time.
- Haloacetic Acids (HAA5):
- Detected Level: 7.46 ppb
- EPA MCL: 60 ppb
- EWG Health Guideline: 0.1 ppb
- Nitrate (as Nitrogen):
- Detected Level: 0.69 parts per million (ppm)
- EPA MCL: 10 ppm
- EWG Health Guideline: 0.14 ppm
- Arsenic:
- Detected Level: 0.1 ppb
- EPA MCL: 10 ppb
- EWG Health Guideline: 0.004 ppb
- Lead:
- Detected Level (90th percentile): 1.5 ppb
- EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
- EWG Health Guideline: 0.2 ppb
Even though Houston Public Works works to treat the water to meet federal standards, disinfection byproducts and heavy metals may still be present at levels that cause concern. For families seeking clean water, adding a water filtration system can provide peace of mind.
Why Water Treatment Is Essential in Houston
Water quality in Houston is vital for both the health of residents and the longevity of their plumbing and appliances. Issues like hard water, heavy metals, and the presence of disinfection byproducts highlight the importance of having a water treatment solution in place.
- Hard Water: Over time, scale buildup from hard water can damage plumbing systems and appliances, leading to costly repairs. By installing a water softener, Houston residents can reduce these effects and ensure the longevity of their water-related appliances.
- Chlorine and Chloramine: These chemicals are commonly used in the treatment process to disinfect water, but they can leave a harsh taste and odor. A house water filter or reverse osmosis system can help remove these chemicals, improving the taste of your water.
- Contaminants: Trace amounts of harmful contaminants such as lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals may still be present even after water treatment. To ensure the quality drinking water, investing in a home filtration system can further reduce these contaminants.
How Culligan of Houston Can Help
Culligan of Houston offers a range of high-quality home water solutions to address the unique water quality issues facing Houston residents. Whether you live in Harris County, University Park, or the East Side of the city, Culligan has the right solutions for you.
1. Water Softeners
Culligan provides both salt-based systems and salt-free systems to soften your water. Water softening helps prevent scale buildup and protects your plumbing and appliances. Softened water is also better for your skin and hair, reducing the dryness caused by hard water.
2. Reverse Osmosis Systems
Our reverse osmosis systems are ideal for providing purified drinking water by removing harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and disinfection byproducts. These systems ensure you have access to the cleanest, safest water for your family.
3. Whole-House Filtration Systems
Culligan’s whole-house filtration systems treat all the water that enters your home, providing clean water for drinking, bathing, and cleaning. These systems remove chlorine, chloramine, organic matter, and other impurities, improving the quality of your entire home’s water supply.
Benefits of Choosing Culligan of Houston
Choosing Culligan of Houston for your water treatment needs offers more than just clean water—it’s about peace of mind. Here’s what you can expect:
- Customized Solutions: We offer personalized water filtration systems tailored to your specific needs, whether you’re in Collin County or Harris County.
- Expert Guidance: Our water experts will diagnose your water issues and recommend the best solutions to ensure you get the best results.
- Ongoing Maintenance: We provide ongoing maintenance services to ensure your water treatment plant or filtration system is working efficiently year-round.
- Local Expertise: With our deep knowledge of the area, we bring you the best water treatment solutions available in East Texas and beyond.
Ready for Better Water in Houston?
If you’re tired of dealing with hard water, unpleasant tastes, or just want the peace of mind that your water is clean and safe, Culligan of Houston is here to help.
