Houston Water Quality: What You Need to Know in 2025

If you're a Houston homeowner, chances are you've wondered: 'Is my tap water actually safe to drink?' With phrases like “arsenic detected” or “599x above health guidelines” floating around, it’s totally valid to question what’s coming out of your faucet.

In this post, we're diving into Houston water quality—what the city reports, what the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found, and how Pro+Aqua filtration systems can protect your home from harmful contaminants.

Other Cities

• Los Angeles Water Quality

01 | Who Regulates Houston City’s Drinking Water?

Let’s start with the basics. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulates public drinking water through the Safe Drinking Water Act, which sets legal limits for over 90 contaminants. But here’s the kicker: those limits haven’t been updated in decades.

That’s why organizations like the EWG step in with health-based guidelines—which are far more stringent than the EPA’s.

02 | Where Does Houston Get Its Water?

Source: Houston Public Works 2023 Water Quality Report

Houston pulls water from both surface and groundwater sources:

• 3 major surface water plants
• 39 groundwater plants
• 6 public water systems, including:
• Houston Water Main
• Kingwood
• Willow Chase
• District 73
• District 82
• Belleau Woods

03 | Houston City’s Annual Water Quality Report

The city’s 2023 report shows that most contaminants are technically within legal limits. For example:

• Arsenic was reported in low levels—but even small amounts can pose risks to pregnant people, children, and those with compromised immune systems.
• The report didn’t cover PFAS or all VOCs.

So while the city may be following EPA guidelines, that doesn't mean the water is truly clean and, the EWG, under their guidelines, has found an exceeding amount of contaminants.

For a more detailed local water report, check out Houston’s Water Quality Report for 2023 . 2024 will likely be released late spring, early summer.

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04 | What the EWG Found in Houston’s Water

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), multiple contaminants in Houston’s tap water exceed their health-based guidelines—some by staggering amounts. Below are the Top 10 worst offenders, ranked by how far they surpass EWG’s safety thresholds:

These contaminants aren’t rare occurrences—they're consistently present at levels that may increase your risk of cancer, developmental issues, hormone disruption, and more.

05 | Top 5 Contaminants Threatening Houston Water Quality

Houston's tap water isn’t just about trace minerals—it includes some of the most hazardous chemical compounds found in drinking water. Here are the top 5 contaminants, based on how drastically they exceed safe levels and their health implications:

1. Perfluorohexane Sulfonate (PFHxS)

Detected: 4.15 ppt
EWG Guideline: 0.001 ppt
Exceeds by: 4,150x

What it is: A persistent PFAS chemical once used in firefighting foams and industrial treatments.

Health Risks:

• Endocrine disruption
• Immune system suppression
• Reproductive and developmental toxicity
• Long-term accumulation in the body

2. Haloacetic Acids (HAA9)

Detected: 36 ppb
EWG Guideline: 0.06 ppb
Exceeds by: 599x

What it is: A group of disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic material in water.

Health Risks:

• Liver and kidney damage
• Increased cancer risk
• Developmental toxicity in unborn children
• Cellular damage over time

3. Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Detected: 30.4 ppb
EWG Guideline: 0.15 ppb
Exceeds by: 203x

What it is: Another group of disinfection byproducts, typically formed alongside haloacetic acids.

Health Risks:

• Bladder and colon cancer
• Liver and kidney toxicity
• Reproductive health impacts
• Central nervous system disruption

4. Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

Detected: 21.2 ppb
EWG Guideline: 0.2 ppb
Exceeds by: 106x

What it is: A subcategory of HAA9, containing five of the most common haloacetic acids found in treated tap water.

Health Risks:

• Similar to HAA9: cancer risk, DNA damage, developmental concerns
• May increase toxicity risk when combined with other disinfectant byproducts

5. Bromodichloromethane

Detected: 6.19 ppb
EWG Guideline: 0.06 ppb
Exceeds by: 103x

What it is: A trihalomethane known for being particularly harmful and persistent.

Health Risks:

• Probable human carcinogen
• Liver and kidney damage
• Prenatal developmental issues

06 | Health Risks of Contaminants in Houston Water

We’ve already talked about the heavy hitters, but there are plenty of other contaminants quietly showing up in Houston’s tap water—some with serious potential health consequences over long-term exposure. Below are five more that exceed guidelines (though to a lesser degree), plus five additional compounds found in testing.

5 Contaminants (Still Exceeding EWG Guidelines)

1. Dibromoacetic Acid

Detected: 0.97 ppb
EWG Guideline: 0.03 ppb
Exceeds by: 32x

What it is: A disinfection byproduct from water chlorination.

Health Concerns:

• Possible carcinogen
• May damage DNA
• Long-term exposure may impair reproductive health

2. Chloroform

Detected: 13.7 ppb
EWG Guideline: 0.4 ppb
Exceeds by: 34x

What it is: A trihalomethane (THM) formed during water treatment.

Health Concerns:

• Potential carcinogen (especially liver and kidney cancer)
• Nervous system depressant
• Linked to reproductive harm and fetal toxicity

3. Chromium (Hexavalent)

Detected: 0.747 ppb
EWG Guideline: 0.02 ppb
Exceeds by: 37x

What it is: A naturally occurring metallic element, but highly toxic in its hexavalent form.

Health Concerns:

• Known carcinogen (especially stomach cancer)
• Can cause skin irritation and ulcers
• Chronic ingestion linked to DNA and cell damage

4. Trichloroacetic Acid

Detected: 4.54 ppb
EWG Guideline: 0.1 ppb
Exceeds by: 45x

What it is: Another byproduct of chlorinated water.

Health Concerns:

• Liver and kidney toxicity
• Potential developmental and reproductive toxicity
• May interact with medications or affect hormonal balance

5. Dichloroacetic Acid

Detected: 15.1 ppb
EWG Guideline: 0.2 ppb
Exceeds by: 76x

What it is: Often grouped with other haloacetic acids (like HAA5).

Health Concerns:

• Possible human carcinogen
• Can impact liver enzymes
• May disrupt cellular signaling over time

Additional Contaminants Detected in Houston Water

These didn’t make the top 10 by exceedance level, but were still detected and flagged by the EWG:

Uranium

Detected: 2.19 pCi/L
EWG Guideline: 0.43 pCi/L
Exceeds by: 5.1x

Health Concerns:

• Increases the risk of kidney toxicity
• Radioactive—linked to cancer at high exposures
• Can accumulate in bones over time

Barium

Detected: Detected, but within EPA limit

Health Concerns:

• High exposure can raise blood pressure
• Can interfere with heart rhythms
• May cause kidney damage if consumed long-term

Nitrate

Detected: Detected, not above EPA limit but still present

Health Concerns:

• Can cause “blue baby syndrome” in infants
• Linked to increased cancer risks in adults
• Often comes from fertilizer and agricultural runoff

Fluoride

Detected: Within legal limits but controversial

Health Concerns:

• While beneficial in small doses for dental health, excessive exposure has been linked to:
• Thyroid suppression
• Bone brittleness
• Developmental neurotoxicity (in infants and children)

Manganese

Detected: Present in trace amounts

Health Concerns:

• Overexposure may affect brain development in children
• Neurological effects similar to Parkinson’s disease in adults with high-dose ingestion
• May discolor water or stain laundry and plumbing

07 | Lead Contamination in Houston Schools

In 2023, over 100 Houston schools reported elevated lead levels in fountains and cafeteria taps. While this isn't always city water’s fault (aging infrastructure plays a big role), it's another reason water filtration matters.

So… What can you actually do about all this?

We know—it’s a lot. From arsenic and PFAS to chlorine byproducts and heavy metals, Houston water quality can feel like a chemistry class gone wrong. But don’t panic—there’s good news:

• You don’t have to drink this stuff.
• You don’t have to bathe in it.
• And you don’t have to rely solely on city-level treatment.

Whether you’re worried about what’s coming out of your kitchen tap or want whole-home protection, there are proven ways to filter out many of these contaminants—and Pro+Aqua systems are designed to do exactly that.

Let’s break down the options.

08 | Treating Houston Water at Home with Pro Aqua

If Houston’s water report reads like a chemical cocktail menu, don’t worry—you’ve got options. Pro Aqua’s filtration systems are built to tackle real-world water issues, from stubborn hard minerals to unknown carcinogens. Whether you need something for just your drinking water or a full-house solution, here’s how to build your defense.

1. Pro+Aqua Reverse Osmosis (RO) System

Best for: Drinking water at the sink

Removes:

• Arsenic
• Chromium (Hexavalent)
• Uranium
• Nitrates
• Fluoride
• Trichloroacetic acid
• Toluene & other VOCs

Reverse osmosis is one of the few at-home filtration methods that can remove up to 99% of heavy metals, radioactive particles, nitrates, and PFAS. It’s your go-to for ultra-purified water for cooking, drinking, and baby bottles.

💡Perfect for: Apartments, renters, and households wanting purified water at one faucet.

2. Pro Aqua Whole House Filtration System

Best for: Chlorine byproducts, PFAS, VOCs, and sediment

Removes:

• TTHMs
• Haloacetic acids (HAA5 & HAA9)
• Chloroform
• PFHxS and other PFAS
• Bromodichloromethane
• Sediment and chlorine taste/odor

This system treats all the water entering your home, not just what you drink. That means cleaner shower water, safer laundry, and healthier skin, especially important for kids and anyone with sensitive skin.

Pair with an RO system for complete point-of-entry + point-of-use protection.

3. Pro Aqua Salt-Based Water Softener System

Best for: Removing hard minerals and certain heavy metals

Removes:

• Calcium & magnesium (hardness minerals)
• Manganese
• Barium
• Strontium
• Iron & sediment

Why it’s essential:
Houston is known for hard water, which can damage plumbing, dry out your skin, and ruin appliances. A softener not only solves that but also helps reduce levels of heavy metals that cling to pipes and fixtures.

Pro tip: This system helps extend the life of your appliances—and your haircare routine.

4. Pro Aqua Ultimate Whole House Bundle

Best for: Homes that want everything filtered, from tap to tub

Includes:

✔ Whole House Filtration
✔ Salt-Based Softener
✔ Reverse Osmosis System
✔ Optional UV sterilization

If you’re serious about clean water and want one streamlined system that takes care of it all, this is the solution. It’s ideal for families, large homes, or anyone concerned about long-term exposure to Houston's most persistent contaminants.

Invest once, protect everything—from drinking water to laundry to long showers.

Pro Aqua Filtration Systems vs. Contaminants Chart

✅ = Removes or reduces significantly
❌ = Not designed to target

09 | How to Test Houston Water in Your Home

You don’t need to be a scientist to know what’s in your water—you just need the right tools. Whether you're troubleshooting weird smells or discoloration, or just want peace of mind, water testing is the first step to protecting your home.

Here’s how to do it:

At-Home Water Testing Kits

These kits provide a quick and convenient way to assess basic water quality. Most kits can detect:

• pH and hardness (calcium and magnesium)
• Chlorine levels
• Iron and copper
• Nitrates and nitrites
• Lead (in advanced kits)

Best suited for homeowners who want fast answers without sending samples to a lab.

Lab-Grade Water Analysis

For more comprehensive testing, sending a water sample to a certified lab offers detailed insights. Lab testing can identify:

• Arsenic and other heavy metals
• PFAS and VOCs
• Pesticide or pharmaceutical residues
• Radioactive contaminants like uranium and radium

Recommended for households with vulnerable individuals, private well users, or those experiencing recurring water issues.

10 | Should You Use In-Home Water Filters in Houston?

Definitely. Even though Houston’s water meets federal standards, that doesn’t mean it’s as clean or safe as possible.

Many of the limits set by the EPA are outdated, and studies show contaminants like PFAS, arsenic, and chlorine byproducts show up at levels far higher than what health experts recommend.

A good in-home filter helps cut the uncertainty and gives you more control over what’s actually coming out of your tap.

Filtration also helps protect against things the city can’t always catch—like old pipes, sediment, or leftover chemicals from water treatment.

Whether you’re filling a baby bottle, taking a shower, or cooking dinner, having a reliable system in place means you don’t have to second-guess your water.

Not sure where to start? Talk to our fantastic support team to find the perfect system for your home.

11 | Solutions for Improving Houston City Water Quality

Improving your water quality doesn’t have to mean overhauling your plumbing or relying on bottled water. The best solution is to treat the water where it matters most—right at home.

Start by identifying your biggest concerns.

If you’re mainly worried about what your family is drinking, a reverse osmosis system under the sink is a great first step. If you want better water everywhere—from your shower to your washing machine—go with a whole house filtration system.

And if you’re dealing with hard water, a softener will take care of that, too.

For the most complete protection, a bundled system with a whole house filter, softener, and reverse osmosis unit can cover just about everything Houston’s water throws your way.

It’s one upgrade that pays off in better health, cleaner laundry, longer-lasting appliances, and peace of mind every time you turn on the tap.

FAQ: Houston Water Quality

Q: Is Houston tap water safe to drink?
A: Legally, yes. But health-wise? It depends. Many contaminants exceed EWG health guidelines.

Q: What’s the water quality issue in Houston?
A: Elevated levels of arsenic, PFAS, trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, and more.

Q: Why is Houston water so hard?
A: High levels of calcium and magnesium from groundwater sources. A water softener can help.

Q: Why is my water yellow in Houston?
A: It’s usually caused by sediment, aging pipes, or oxidized iron—safe, but not ideal.

Final Thoughts: Should You Be Filtering Your Water?

With Houston water quality under scrutiny, taking matters into your own hands is smart—not paranoid. Whether you're protecting your family from arsenic, PFAS, or just want to stop scrubbing water spots off your dishes, ProAqua has a solution.