Do you know where your water comes from? You could be missing vital information if you don’t! Every year, your water plant is required to produce an annual report that keeps you up-to-date on the drinking quality of your water, its source, and its contaminant levels. Depending on the report’s data, you can make informed decisions for yourself and your family about whether or not to use the tap water for drinking, bathing, and cooking.
If you have concerns, don’t forget that filtration systems can remove pre-chlorination and sediments from the water before you use it. Reverse osmosis systems are also an option! They may sound complicated, but their job is simply to re-introduce mineralization into your water to help with the taste.
From the Source to Your Glass
The annual water report can tell you what exactly happens during your water’s trip from its source to your glass. All drinking water—tap and bottle—comes from a variety of places, including
- Rivers
- Streams
- Reservoirs
- Lakes
- Springs
As water travels over time, it can dissolve the minerals that occur naturally, and it can be polluted by animals and humans.
Contaminants can be:
- Microbes — These include viruses and bacteria. They tend to come from sewage-treatment plants, septic systems, livestock, and wildlife.
- Inorganic (salt and metal) contaminants — These usually occur naturally but be the result of urban storm water runoff.
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Organic contaminants — These are byproducts of industrial processes and mining activities.
- Radioactive particles — These are also byproducts of industrial processes and mining activities.
Water changes, such as taste, can be caused by contaminants, but it shouldn’t usually be a cause for concern. In some cities, like McKinney, water taste changes during the summer months and matches up with when algae blooms. During times of high algae, treatment plants take extra steps to ensure that your water meets or exceeds the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). So while it may taste different, its quality doesn’t change.
How does water treatment work?
After reading the list above, you can understand why water treatment is important! Proper treatment removes contaminants to make sure that your drinking water meets the levels required by the EPA and your state.
A pump station at the source of your water brings the raw water to a treatment plant. Each supplier has a different process for water treatment, but it generally includes:
- Chemical addition – This can include pre-chlorination to control algae or prevent biological growth. Air may also be added to help remove iron and manganese.
- Sedimentation – This process is used to separate and remove any trapped solids.
- Filtration – The water is filtered to remove particles that remain.
- Disinfection – This step kills bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
After treatment, the water is kept in an enclosed reservoir until it’s delivered to your home.
Where does YOUR water come from?
Cities throughout North Texas have different sources of water, but many also share locations. Below is a list of just some of the cities CW Service Pros serves and information about their water supplies. Find your city, and see exactly where your water comes from!
Addison
Addison, TX receives its water from the city of Dallas. See Dallas for more information!
Allen
The city of Allen’s water is supplied by the North Texas Municipal Water District and comes from several lakes and sources, including
- Lake Lavon
- Lake Chapman
- Lake Texoma
- Lake Tawakoni
- The East Fork Raw Water Supply Project
The quality has been ranked as superior in annual reports, but the city does have to observe water restrictions because of low levels in the supply lakes.
Aubrey
Aubrey’s water comes from the Mustang Special Utility District. Using solely ground water, the quality is monitored by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the lead environmental agency in the state. It monitors pollution, water, and waste throughout Texas.
Carrollton
The city of Carrollton’s supply comes from Dallas. See Dallas for more information!
The Colony
The Colony actually uses four ground water wells. Three are on the Trinity Sands Aquifer, and one is on the Paluxy Aquifer. The city also purchases six million gallons of water every day from Dallas. The Colony’s water passes all federal requirements.
Coppell
The water in this city comes from local rivers, lakes, and streams. They include
- Lake Tawakoni
- Lake Ray Hubbard
- Lake Fork
- The Elm Fork of the Trinity River (which flows out of Lake Ray Roberts, Lake Lewisville, and Lake Grapevine)
Coppell’s water may contain traces of natural minerals, but it has received a Superior rating.
Dallas
The city of Dallas not only serves itself but several cities in the surrounding areas, including Addison and Carrollton. With water ranked Superior by both the EPA and the State of Texas, the Dallas Water Utilities only uses the surface water of reservoirs that are linked to local lakes, including
- Lake Ray Roberts
- The Elm Fork of the Trinity River
- Lake Lewisville
- Lake Grapevine
- Lake Ray Hubbard
- Lake Tawakoni
- Lake Fork
Denton
Denton also uses Lakes Lewisville and Ray Roberts in addition to several other local water sources. The water does contain trace contaminants, but test results exceed the state’s and the EPA’s requirements. The city also supplies water to Lantana.
Double Oak
The Cross Timbers Water Supply Corporation provides water to Double Oak, Bartonville, and Copper Canyon. The Superior-ranked water comes from eight ground wells, and purchased water is supplied by the Upper Trinity Regional Water District. The purchased water undergoes an extensive treatment process.
Flower Mound
Flower Mound purchases its water from Dallas Water Utilities and the Upper Trinity Regional Water District. Strictly surface water, it received a Superior rating during testing.
Frisco
Frisco’s water is considered “hard,” and it regularly surpasses requirements. “Hard water” is high in calcium and magnesium. It means that some residents may have trouble lathering up to wash their hair or dishes. Frisco receives its water from the North Texas Municipal Water District.
Highland Village
Water in Highland Village comes from two places:
- Purchased surface water
- Self-supplied ground water
Even though there is a high level of sedimentation, the city has received a rating of Superior since 1996, and samples are taken daily. It submits the samples once a month for more extensive testing.
Lantana
Lantana uses water from the city of Denton.
Lewisville
From the water of Lake Lewisville, Lewisville’s water exceeds the EPA’s standards. Lewisville also purchases from Dallas Water Utilities.
Little Elm
The city of Little Elm is actually split into two parts for water supply: East and West. The East receives water from the North Texas Municipal Water District. This includes
- Lake Lavon
- Lake Texoma
- Lake Cooper
The city takes over 4,000 samples a year to check for the presence of contaminants.
The West side of Little Elm uses ground water from Paluxy and Woodbine Aquifers.
Both sides of the city have received ratings of Superior.
McKinney
McKinney is another city that receives its water from the North Texas Municipal Water District (Lakes Lavon, Texoma, and Cooper). It was ranked Superior in 2015.
Plano
The city of Plano also purchases water from the North Texas Municipal Water District. The supply received a rating of Superior, surpassing all state and federal requirements.
You’ve likely answered the burning question, “Where does your water come from?” but if you don’t see your city on this list, head over to its website. You’ll find more information on your supplier, ranking results, treatment processes, and more! And if you’ve got questions about your water as it runs through your pipes and out of your faucets, contact CW Service Pros. If you’re looking for an experienced plumbing company in Flower Mound and the surrounding areas, contact CW Service Pros today!