Problems We Found With Dallas, Texas Tap Water
RSSKezia Snipe | Hydroviv Research Analyst
**Updated July 17, 2019 to include current data
We've updated our assessment of Dallas drinking water to include the most recent data 2019 from the Dallas Water Utilities. We also used information from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as from samples that we collect and analyze. We then cross reference these regulatory data with toxicity studies in scientific and medical literature. Hydroviv builds and sells water filters that are optimized to remove contaminants in Dallas, Texas.
Dallas Source Water
The city of Dallas uses source water entirely from surface water sources. The seven different sources include: the Elm Fork of the Trinity River and lakes Ray Roberts, Lewisville, Grapevine, Ray Hubbard, Tawakoni and Fork. As is the case with any surface water source, these lakes and rivers can become contaminated by any polluter within the watershed (e.g. gas stations, industrial sites). For those proficient with GIS, you can view the potential sources of contamination identified by the municipality and state as part of the source water assessment program.
Chromium 6 Contamination In Dallas Drinking Water
Chromium 6 is an extremely toxic metal that is not currently regulated by the EPA. In recent years, Dallas tap water has averaged 275 parts per trillion for Chromium 6. For the sake of perspective, the average level reported is roughly 13 times higher than the concentration determined to have negligible impact on cancer risk.
Lead In Dallas Drinking Water
Lead can enter tap water quality through older lead service pipes and lead-containing plumbing. When corrosion control measures put in place by the municipality fail (like what recently happened in Flint, Michigan), lead leaches into the drinking water, and can reach dangerous levels. According to this years report, the 90th percentile value was 0 parts per billion. We encourage Dallas residents (particularly those who live in older buildings (pre-1986) to take steps to remove lead from drinking water because EPA, CDC, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all acknowledged that there is no safe level of lead.
Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In Dallas Tap Water
DBPs are a category of emerging contaminants that form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with naturally-occurring organic matter. Because Dallas disinfects its water with chlorine to protect against waterborne illness, it's no surprise that disinfection byproducts are present in the water. Although regulation for these chemicals is loose, and the toxicology is not yet well-understood, EPA has acknowledged that some disinfection byproducts are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems.
Chlorine In Dallas Tap Water
Like most other large municipalities in the U.S., Dallas' water is injected with chlorine to protect against waterborne illness. While not typically considered to be harmful on its own, Hydroviv's Dallas users rave about how much better their water tastes when they use a properly designed water filter.
Still Have Questions About Dallas Tap Water?
Hydroviv is a water filtration company that uses water quality data to optimize water filters for each city’s water. The chemicals that we list above are what we consider to be “points of emphasis” so we can design and build the best water filter for Dallas tap water, but all of our water filters provide broad protection against other contaminants commonly found in drinking water (e.g. VOCs, lead, solvents, pesticides, mercury).
If you’re interested in learning more about water filters that have been optimized for Dallas tap water quality, feel free to visit www.hydroviv.com, reach out by email (hello@hydroviv.com) or through our live chat. We also frequently post water-related news on Twitter or Facebook.
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