Is Dallas Tap Water Safe to Drink?

While the local Texas government states that the water is quite safe to drink, and the EPA has recognized Dallas on the high quality of its tap water, that doesn’t mean the water is free from contaminants that may do long-term damage to you and your loved ones.

In fact, you may be shocked to learn just what is considered “safe” to drink by the government.

Dallas Water Quality Report: What Is in the Water?

The Dallas Water Quality Report provides a deeper look at the information about the contaminants found in Dallas drinking water. Unfortunately, there are 33 contaminants present in Dallas’s tap water.

Of those 33 contaminants, 21 of them only had a small amount present. The remaining 12 contaminants have more than trace amounts, which, even though the government deems them within safe levels, may cause harm if consumed.

The following contaminants in Dallas drinking water can potentially increase the risk of cancer:

• 1,2,3- Trichloropropane
• Arsenic
• Bromodichloromethane
• Bromoform
• Chloroform
• Chromium (hexavalent)
• Dibromochloromethane
• Dichloroacetic acid
• Radiological contaminants
• Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
• Trichloroacetic acid

While these chemicals are in levels deemed tolerably safe, they can do long term damage and may increase the risk of developing cancer.

There are other 21 contaminants listed after water testing in Dallas. The list contains the contaminants that are smaller in dosages and are less harmful to people no matter the consumption:

• Acetone
• Aluminum
• Antimony
• Barium
• Bromochloroacetic acid
• Chlorate
• Chloromethane
• Chromium
• Cyanide
• Fluoride
• Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
• Manganese
• Molybdenum
• Nitrate
• Selenium
• Simazine
• Strontium
• Vanadium

Many of the contaminants are commonly found in drinking water from the tap. Small doses of these minerals and chemicals are non-lethal when consumed, which makes them easily filtered out of Dallas drinking water.

The contaminants are found in small doses when water testing is done in Dallas for quality reports.

Despite the assurance of safety by the Texas government and the EPA, it’s still best to remove as much contamination from drinking water as possible. Filtration is the best solution, and reverse osmosis removes more contaminants than activated carbon filtration alone.

An RO filtration system will not only improve the taste of water, but it will make it safer to drink thanks to the membrane filter.

Is the Water Hard or Soft?

Water hardness is determined by the quantity of water hardness minerals in your drinking water. So the difference between having hard water would be having a higher level of minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

No matter the region of Texas that you’re in, there will always be a heavy level of mineral deposits in the water.

According to HydroFlow USA, Texas ranks 6th in the United States for hardest water. The water hardness in Texas is over 200 PPM. Dallas, in particular, has a water hardness of 140 PPM.

So no matter where you are in Texas, you’ll be drinking hard water, even though the specific water sources throughout the state will differ based on the region.

Having hard vs. soft water comes with several pros and cons. Here’s a compiled list of those pros and cons:

Where Dallas Gets Its Water From

Dallas drinking water is hard water. Living Water states that the drinking water primarily comes from the Ray Hubbard Reservoir in Dallas, Texas. The hard water comes from rainwater collecting minerals on the reservoir’s rocks.

Dallas sources water from seven spots, including the Ray Hubbard Reservoir listed above. The other six sources include Lake Tawakoni and Fork, the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, Lake Ray Roberts, Lake Lewisville, and Lake Grapevine.

How Tap Water Is Treated in Dallas

The Dallas Water Utility (DWU) treats the Dallas water supply with chlorine, ammonia, and ozone, disinfecting the water. In addition, lime and iron sulfate remove all solids found in the water supply. Activated carbon controls the tastes and odors, while fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay over time.

According to Dallas City Hall, the water treatment chemicals kill harmful bacteria in the Dallas water supply. After mixing, the water goes through filtration, which is the final step in the treatment of drinking water.

Since Dallas’ water comes from lakes and reservoirs in the area, items including sand and gravel are caught in the filters and then removed so the water is safe for consumption.

Do They Have the Cleanest Tap Water?

Dallas doesn’t have the cleanest tap water in the United States, largely due to the rural areas that surround the city.

While Dallas doesn’t have the cleanest tap water in the United States, you’ll find that there are no health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The water you consume has been tested and cleared of any chemicals and minerals found in the surface runoff. While the water may be classified as “safe,” that doesn’t mean a thorough filtration system won’t improve the quality of your tap water.

After all, the more contaminants that are removed, the safer your water will be to drink, shower with, and use in day-to-day activities.

Final Thoughts

While Dallas tap water is classified as safe to drink, you should also be aware of the filtration systems that can purify your drinking water. Use these resources to consume water without having to worry about your health.

Water filters allow you to remove any minor tastes of chlorine or the earthy taste and odor from the lakes that the water comes from. Faucet water filters are a good choice for Dallas households, but an RO system for the entire household is best.

However, faucet filters are affordable, easy to install, and instantly deliver cleaned tap water to your cups and bottles.