Water is a precious resource that’s valuable and necessary in our everyday lives. It is a basic need, and the importance of water quality cannot be overstated. The Texas water quality crisis varies by city, and the current water quality in Texas is a significant concern for all of us.
A big question on our minds since the water quality crisis in Flint, Michigan, occurred is whether the water in our home, school, and workplace is safe. This blog post will talk about what you need to know about Texas’s current water quality situation so you can protect yourself and your family.
The Current Texas Water Quality Crisis
The non-profit, Environmental Working Group (EWG) released a report in 2019 on water quality across all 50 states. The study analyzed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ’s Safe Drinking Water Information System data. It found that Texas has a lot of work to do to ensure safe drinking water for its citizens.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of home water use skyrocketed. When it comes to enforcing clean water regulations, Texas lags behind other states. According to the EPA, Texas has the most widespread water quality violations in the country. Texas was responsible for almost four times as many serious violations as California and New York combined. (Mahoney, 2021)
The report also found that Texas allows for higher levels of arsenic in its drinking water than any other state. According to the EPA, this is particularly concerning as exposure to high arsenic can lead to cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
Federal Action to Improve Water Quality
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), EPA, and several experts agree that there is no known safe lead level in children. In addition to households, schools and childcare facilities are at risk of exposing children to lead in their water.
In November 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal. This historic investment in the nation’s infrastructure aims to deliver clean water to all American families and eliminate the nation’s lead service lines.
Also, in December 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration released its Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan. Under this plan, the federal government aims to collaborate with local, state, and national partners to accelerate the replacement of all lead pipes over the next decade. (The White House, 2021)
What Can You Do?
Millions of people are exposed to unsafe drinking water. They have continued to suffer from widespread drinking water contamination, particularly from contaminants leaching from old pipes.
During Hurricane Harvey, Texas’ water treatment system became congested and threatened the state’s drinking water quality. Also, the cold snap in February 2020 showed the vulnerability and failure of Texas’ infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.
With deteriorating infrastructure and infrequent monitoring, the water in small and remote communities are the most polluted in Texas. These communities are the ones that suffer the most. (Environmental Working Group, 2021)
So, what can you do to make sure that the water quality in your home, school and work environments is safe? The most crucial step is to test your water for lead and other contaminants. If you find high levels of lead in your water, you can take steps to remove suspect pipes or other mitigation methods such as ePIPE™, a pipe lining process that prevents lead leaching in pipes.
Polluted tap water is an issue that affects everyone. Delivering safe drinking water to millions of families may be challenging; but with strong federal standards, more funding, and the focus to help disadvantaged areas, Texas water quality will improve. To achieve true water equity, stricter safety standards must be in place. This can ensure that drinking water supplies do not have pollution levels that are harmful to human health. Clean water is the right of every American.
What TDT Plumbing Offers You
TDT Plumbing’s LeadSmart program has revolutionized how homes and buildings test tap water for lead and make water safe to drink. The EPA-approved LeadSmart program uses on-site water testing equipment and methods for testing lead in drinking water. The program uses a unique lead remediation process to identify the lead contributors and offers a plan for corrective actions.
Whether it is homes, schools, hospitals, or office buildings, aging plumbing can expose water to lead and copper. TDT Plumbing is Texas’ first LeadSmart Water Testing Provider, and this program is covered by over 40 U.S. and international patents.
We are considered “pipe forensic” specialists, and clean water is what we do. Call us at (713) 697-2088 to reach a trained TDT LeadSmart specialist or contact us to schedule your LeadSmart Water Testing. We’re ready to bring you safe drinking water!
Works Cited
Mahoney, Adam. “Texas’ Water Problems Started Way before the Winter Storm.” Grist, 1 Apr. 2021,
grist.org/justice/texas-water-quality-contamination-winter-storm/.
The White House. “Fact Sheet: The Biden-Harris Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.” The White House, The United States Government, 16 Dec. 2021,
www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/12/16/fact-sheet-the-biden-harris-lead-pipe-and-paint-action-plan/.
Environmental Working Group. “State of American Drinking Water.” EWG Tap Water Database | State of American Drinking Water, Nov. 2021,
www.ewg.org/tapwater/state-of-american-drinking-water.php.