Arlington Water Quality & Filtration Guide

Introduction To Water Quality in Arlington

Arlington, Texas residents receive their drinking water primarily from four surface water reservoirs managed by the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD). These include Cedar Creek Reservoir, Richland-Chambers Reservoir, Lake Arlington, and Lake Benbrook. This water undergoes treatment at two facilities: the Pierce-Burch and John F. Kubala Water Treatment Plants before reaching approximately 384,000 residents.

While Arlington's municipal water officially meets all federal compliance standards according to EPA assessments, our independent analysis has identified several contaminants of concern that exist within regulatory limits but exceed health guidelines established by organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG). These findings suggest that while technically "safe" by federal standards, Arlington's water quality could be significantly improved through appropriate filtration systems.

The municipal treatment process includes:

• Primary disinfection with ozone
• Coagulation using aluminum sulfate and polymers
• Sedimentation to remove particles
• Filtration through granular activated carbon
• Secondary disinfection with chloramine (chlorine and ammonia compound)

Arlington Water Utilities maintains an extensive testing program, with over 7,300 samples analyzed for 372 different substances in 2023 alone. However, as we'll explore in this report, meeting minimum regulatory requirements doesn't necessarily translate to optimal water quality for your health and home.

Contaminants and Pollutants in your Local Water

Our research has identified several significant contaminants present in Arlington's municipal water supply that warrant attention and consideration for supplemental filtration:

Arsenic has been detected at levels 124 times above EWG's Health Guideline. Though below the EPA's legal limit of 10 ppb, this potent carcinogen presents a significant health concern. Arsenic naturally occurs in soil and bedrock deposits but can also come from industrial sources. It has no detectable smell, taste, or color when dissolved in water.

PFAS compounds, often called "forever chemicals," have been identified in Arlington's water through recent EPA monitoring. According to 2023 sampling, 2 out of 54 samples exceeded EPA guidelines. These synthetic chemicals persist indefinitely in the environment and the human body.

Other notable contaminants include:

• Nitrate from agricultural runoff, urban runoff, and wastewater
• Bromate (a disinfection byproduct) exceeding health guidelines
• Hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium)
• Chloramine used as a secondary disinfectant

For residents relying on private wells tapping into the Trinity Aquifer, different water quality concerns exist, including potentially higher levels of:

• Natural mineral content and extreme hardness
• Sulfate and chloride concentrations that increase with depth
• Possible bacterial contamination due to lack of disinfection
• Natural contaminants like arsenic, radium, and uranium
• No regulatory oversight or routine testing requirements

Explanation of Contaminants and their Problems

Arsenic

Arsenic in Arlington's drinking water presents a significant health concern despite meeting federal compliance standards. This naturally occurring element is a potent carcinogen that builds up in the body over time, causing a range of serious health problems.

Long-term exposure to arsenic in drinking water has been linked to:

• Increased cancer risk (skin, bladder, lung, kidney, and prostate)
• Cardiovascular effects including hypertension and diabetes
• Neurological impacts affecting cognitive development
• Development of characteristic skin lesions
• Compromised immune function

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.004 ppb for arsenic was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal that provides appropriate protection against cancer risk. Arlington's levels significantly exceed this guideline, though they remain below the federal legal limit of 10 ppb.

What makes arsenic particularly concerning is that it has no detectable smell, taste, or color when dissolved in water, making it impossible to identify without proper testing. Its presence at elevated levels warrants serious consideration of appropriate filtration technologies.

PFAS ("Forever Chemicals")

PFAS compounds represent an emerging contaminant of serious concern in Arlington's water supply. These synthetic chemicals earned the nickname "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally in the environment or the human body, accumulating over time with potentially serious health consequences.

Recent EPA monitoring under the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR-5) has confirmed the presence of PFAS compounds in Arlington's water, with 2 out of 54 samples exceeding EPA guidelines in 2023 sampling.

Health impacts associated with PFAS exposure include:

• Elevated cholesterol levels
• Changes in liver enzymes and function
• Decreased vaccine response in children
• Increased risk of certain cancers, particularly kidney and testicular
• Reduced birth weight in newborns
• Thyroid hormone disruption affecting metabolism

The persistence of these chemicals makes them particularly problematic, as even low-level exposure can result in bioaccumulation over time. The EPA has begun implementing new regulations for these compounds due to growing evidence of their health impacts.

Nitrate

Nitrate contamination, while not at crisis levels in Arlington water, remains a concern worthy of attention. This contaminant typically enters drinking water through agricultural runoff, urban runoff, municipal wastewater discharges, and septic system leachate.

The health risks associated with excessive nitrate exposure include:

• Oxygen deprivation in infants (blue baby syndrome or methemoglobinemia)
• Increased risk of colorectal, ovarian, thyroid, kidney, and bladder cancers
• Thyroid dysfunction affecting hormone regulation
• Adverse reproductive outcomes including birth defects
• Potential endocrine disrupting effects

The EWG health guideline of 0.14 parts per million for nitrate is significantly lower than the federal legal limit, reflecting emerging research about the potential impacts of even relatively low-level exposure over time. Effective filtration can significantly reduce nitrate levels in drinking water.

Water Hardness

Arlington's water is classified as hard according to USGS standards, though recent data indicates hardness levels are 5-10% lower than neighboring cities like Fort Worth and Mansfield. Hard water contains elevated levels of calcium and magnesium minerals.

While not a health concern, hard water creates numerous household problems:

• Scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and fixtures
• Reduced efficiency of water heaters (increasing energy costs by 25-40%)
• Soap scum formation on bathtubs, showers, and sinks
• Difficulty creating lather with soaps and detergents
• Shortened lifespan of water-using appliances
• Dull, stiff laundry and potential fabric damage
• Spotting on dishes and glassware after washing

Hard water minerals can also interact with soap to create a film on skin and hair, potentially exacerbating certain skin conditions and making hair appear dull and lifeless. While not dangerous, these minerals significantly impact water quality for everyday household uses.

Disinfection Byproducts

Arlington's water treatment process, while necessary to prevent bacterial contamination, creates disinfection byproducts (DBPs) that present their own health concerns. Third-party independent testing found that Arlington's water utility exceeds health guidelines for bromate, a disinfection byproduct formed when ozone used in treatment interacts with naturally occurring bromide.

Other common disinfection byproducts include:

• Trihalomethanes (THMs)
• Haloacetic acids (HAAs)
• Chlorite and chlorate compounds

Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of DBPs has been associated with:

• Increased bladder cancer risk
• Reproductive impacts including miscarriage risk
• Potential developmental effects
• Liver and kidney stress

Additionally, chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) used as a secondary disinfectant in Arlington can affect taste and odor, making water less pleasant to drink. While necessary for maintaining microbiological safety in the distribution system, these disinfection compounds and their byproducts represent another reason many residents choose supplemental filtration.

Deep Dive on Well Water Quality in the Area

Trinity Aquifer Water Quality

For Arlington residents who rely on private wells, the Trinity Aquifer serves as the primary groundwater source. This major aquifer system extends across much of central and northeastern Texas and consists of several interconnected smaller aquifers including Antlers, Glen Rose, Paluxy, Twin Mountains, Travis Peak, Hensell, and Hosston.

The Trinity Aquifer's water quality presents distinct challenges compared to municipal water:

The mineral profile of Trinity Aquifer water reveals:

• Generally fresh water but typically very hard in outcrop areas
• Total dissolved solids (TDS) ranging from less than 1,000 mg/L in eastern areas to between 1,000-5,000 mg/L (slightly to moderately saline) as depth increases
• Sulfate and chloride concentrations that tend to increase with depth
• Potential for naturally occurring radioactive materials in some areas

Well owners should be aware of significant aquifer depletion concerns. Some of Texas's largest water level declines (350-1,000+ feet) have occurred in counties along the IH-35 corridor from McLennan County to Grayson County, primarily due to municipal pumping. While these declines have slowed over the past decade due to increased reliance on surface water, they remain a concern for long-term aquifer sustainability.

What makes private well water fundamentally different from municipal supplies:

• No treatment with disinfectants, creating potential bacterial contamination risks
• Natural contaminants like arsenic, radium, and uranium may be present at higher levels
• Complete absence of regulatory oversight or routine testing requirements
• Significant quality variation between wells, even those in close proximity
• Full responsibility for testing and treatment falls on the homeowner

This variability means that private well owners should conduct comprehensive testing at least annually and implement appropriate treatment systems based on their specific contaminant profile.

Filtration Recommendations for Arlington

Based on our comprehensive analysis of Arlington's water quality challenges, we recommend a multi-barrier treatment approach that addresses both municipal and private well water concerns:

For Municipal Water Users

Arsenic Reduction Technologies:Arsenic's presence at levels 124 times above health guidelines makes its removal a top priority for Arlington residents. Effective removal technologies include:

• Reverse osmosis systems with special arsenic-specific membranes
• Anion exchange treatment using specialized resins
• Iron oxide adsorption media in point-of-use or whole-house configurations
• Activated alumina filtration systems designed specifically for arsenic removal

PFAS Removal Solutions:With confirmed PFAS contamination in Arlington's water, these specialized technologies offer effective removal:

• High-pressure reverse osmosis systems (minimum 98% removal rates)
• Granular activated carbon filtration with regular media replacement
• Ion exchange resin systems specifically designed for PFAS compounds
• Combined treatment approaches for maximum reduction

Comprehensive Whole-House Solutions:For complete protection addressing multiple contaminants simultaneously, we recommend:

1. Pre-filtration Stage: Sediment removal (5-micron) and pre-conditioning
2. Primary Contaminant Reduction: Multi-media filtration including specialized media for arsenic, PFAS, and heavy metals
3. Secondary Treatment: Large-capacity activated carbon for taste, odor, chloramine, and residual organic compounds
4. Water Conditioning: Template-assisted crystallization technology for scale prevention without salt or waste water
5. Final Polishing: UV disinfection for microbiological security

Point-of-Use Drinking Water Systems:For targeted protection of consumption water, our high-performance reverse osmosis systems offer:

• 5-stage filtration process with specialized contaminant-specific filters
• Removal rates exceeding 99% for arsenic, PFAS, nitrates, and heavy metals
• Alkaline remineralization technology for improved taste and pH balance
• Smart monitoring system with filter replacement indicators

For Private Well Users

Well owners require more specialized approaches addressing their unique challenges:

• Comprehensive initial and annual water quality testing
• Point-of-entry disinfection systems (UV, chlorination, or ozonation)
• Heavy-duty sediment filtration (often required for well water)
• Specialized treatment for naturally occurring radionuclides if detected
• Arsenic-specific treatment technologies
• Hardness treatment appropriate for extremely hard groundwater conditions
• Sulfate and iron removal systems where needed

Our water specialists can design a custom system addressing your specific contaminant profile, whether you receive municipal water or rely on private well sources. With our multi-barrier approach, you can achieve water quality that far exceeds regulatory standards, providing optimal protection for your family's health and your home's plumbing system.

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