Problems We Found In San Antonio Drinking Water

Kezia Snipe  |  Hydroviv Research Analyst

***Updated to include 2020 water quality data***

We've updated our water quality report for San Antonio to include 2020 data. Our Water Nerds analyzed the most recent available data from the San Antonio Water System, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as from samples that we collect and analyze. We compare these data with toxicity studies in scientific and medical literature, and look at upcoming regulatory changes. The water filters that Hydroviv builds for San Antonio customers are optimized with these numbers in mind.

Source Of San Antonio Drinking Water

The San Antonio Water System draws groundwater from the Edwards, Carrizo and Trinity aquifers. In certain areas and, San Antonio will draw surface water from Canyon Lake.

Lead In San Antonio Drinking Water

Lead enters tap water 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. Currently, 10% of samples analyzed for lead in San Antonio are 3.25 parts per billion. Though San Antonio's water quality is in compliance with federal regulations, EPA, CDC and The American Academy of Pediatrics all agree that there is no safe level of lead for children.

Chromium 6 In San Antonio Drinking Water

Chromium 6 is an extremely toxic metal that is not currently regulated by the EPA. In recent years, San Antonio tap water has averaged 136 parts per trillion for Chromium 6. For the sake of perspective, these levels are nearly 7 times higher than the concentration determined to have negligible impact on cancer risk.

Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) In San Antonio Drinking Water

DBPs are a category of emerging contaminants that form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with naturally-occurring organic matter in water. Although these chemicals are not well regulated, EPA has acknowledged that they are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, as well as kidney, liver, and central nervous system problems.

Still Have Questions About San Antonio Drinking Water?

Hydroviv is a water filtration company that uses water quality data to optimize water filters for each customer's water. The contaminants that we list above are what we consider to be major “points of emphasis” that we use to build water filters that are built specifically for San Antonio's water quality, but all of our filters provide broad protection against a wide range of contaminants (including lead).