Flower Mound Water Quality & Filtration Guide

Introduction To Water Quality in Flower Mound

Flower Mound's drinking water comes exclusively from surface water sources, with no local aquifer utilization. The community receives 60% of its water from Dallas Water Utilities and 40% from the Upper Trinity Regional Water District, drawing primarily from Lake Lewisville and Trinity River lakes. While the municipal water meets all EPA regulatory standards, our analysis has identified several contaminants that exceed more stringent health guidelines recommended by environmental health organizations.

The water quality in Flower Mound presents a complex profile of both regulated and unregulated contaminants. Surface water sources are particularly susceptible to agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and the formation of disinfection byproducts during water treatment. This report examines these concerns in detail and provides targeted filtration recommendations to ensure your household has access to the cleanest, safest water possible.

Contaminants and Pollutants in your Local Water

Our comprehensive analysis of Flower Mound's water supply has identified several contaminants of concern that warrant attention:

• Chromium (hexavalent): Detected at 0.111 ppb, which is 5.5 times higher than the recommended health guideline of 0.02 ppb. The EPA currently has no specific limit for this form of chromium.
• Chloroform: Present at 6.4 ppb, which exceeds the health guideline of 0.4 ppb by 16 times. This falls under the EPA's combined limit for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs).
• Nitrate: Found at 0.561 ppm, approximately 4 times higher than the health guideline of 0.14 ppm, though still below the EPA's regulatory limit of 10 ppm.
• PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): PFOA detected at an average of 1.5 ppt, which exceeds the health guideline of 1 ppt and approaches the EPA limit of 4 ppt.
• Other Contaminants: Atrazine (0.07 ppb), chlorate (48.7 ppb), and barium (0.032 ppm) have also been detected in Flower Mound's water supply.

While all these levels are within EPA compliance standards, 12 or more contaminants exceed stricter health guidelines that many experts consider more protective of public health.

Explanation of Contaminants and their Problems

Chromium (Hexavalent)

Hexavalent chromium (Cr-VI) is an industrial contaminant made infamous by the "Erin Brockovich" case. At 0.111 ppb in Flower Mound's water, it presents significant health concerns:

• Health Effects: Long-term exposure has been linked to:
  • Lung cancer when inhaled
  • Stomach and intestinal tumors when ingested
  • Liver damage and reproductive problems
  • DNA damage at the cellular level
• Sources: Industrial pollution is the primary source, including:
  • Metal plating facilities
  • Leather tanning operations
  • Wood preservation
  • Power plant emissions

Unlike total chromium, the hexavalent form is particularly dangerous because of its ability to penetrate cell membranes and cause direct DNA damage. The absence of a specific EPA limit for this form of chromium represents a regulatory gap that puts consumers at potential risk.

Chloroform and Disinfection Byproducts

Chloroform belongs to a group of chemicals known as trihalomethanes (TTHMs), which form when chlorine used for disinfection reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in water.

• Health Impacts:
  • Associated with increased bladder cancer risk
  • Reproductive problems including miscarriage and birth defects
  • Potential neurological effects with long-term exposure
• Risk Factors:
  • Hot showers and baths increase exposure through inhalation
  • Boiling water can actually increase concentration of these compounds
  • Long-term daily exposure compounds risks

The 6.4 ppb level in Flower Mound water is 16 times higher than recommended health guidelines, though still within the EPA's combined TTHM limit of 70 ppb.

Nitrate

Nitrate contamination at 0.561 ppm is 4 times higher than health guidelines but below the EPA limit of 10 ppm.

• Health Concerns:
  • Methemoglobinemia ("blue baby syndrome") in infants
  • Thyroid dysfunction with prolonged exposure
  • Potential links to certain cancers
  • Compromised oxygen transport in the bloodstream
• Origins:
  • Agricultural fertilizer runoff
  • Septic system leaching
  • Natural nitrogen-fixing bacterial processes

Nitrate is particularly concerning because conventional water treatment methods do not remove it effectively, requiring specialized filtration solutions.

PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)

Often called "forever chemicals," PFAS compounds persist in the environment indefinitely. Flower Mound's water contains PFOA at an average of 1.5 ppt:

• Health Implications:
  • Immune system suppression
  • Developmental delays in children
  • Elevated cholesterol levels
  • Increased cancer risk, particularly kidney and testicular cancers
  • Liver damage
• Sources:
  • Industrial manufacturing discharge
  • Firefighting foam
  • Consumer products including non-stick cookware and water-resistant fabrics

The EPA has only recently established limits for these substances, with some health experts advocating for even stricter guidelines than the current 4 ppt limit.

Deep Dive on Well Water Quality in the Area

Trinity Aquifer Water Quality

While Flower Mound relies exclusively on surface water for municipal supply, nearby areas may utilize private wells drawing from the Trinity Aquifer. This is relevant for residents with private wells or those in neighboring communities using groundwater.

The Trinity Aquifer presents several water quality challenges distinct from surface water:

• Natural Mineral Content: The aquifer typically contains:
  • Elevated total dissolved solids (TDS)
  • Naturally occurring arsenic in some areas
  • Higher hardness levels than surface water
• Contamination Risks:
  • Vulnerable to nitrate infiltration from agricultural activities
  • Potential fecal coliform contamination from septic systems
  • Pesticide and herbicide percolation in agricultural regions

Private well owners in the broader region should implement annual testing protocols that include checks for:

• Coliform bacteria
• Nitrates
• Total dissolved solids
• Heavy metals
• Pesticides common to the region

Unlike municipal water users, private well owners are solely responsible for testing and treating their water, making proper filtration particularly critical.

Filtration Recommendations for Flower Mound

Based on our comprehensive analysis of Flower Mound's water contaminant profile, we recommend a multi-stage filtration approach to address the specific challenges identified:

Stage 1: Activated Carbon Filtration

Carbon filtration is highly effective at removing or reducing:

• Chloroform and other disinfection byproducts
• PFAS compounds including PFOA
• Atrazine and other agricultural chemicals
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

This should be your first line of defense, either as a standalone countertop filter, refrigerator filter, or as the initial stage in a more comprehensive system.

Stage 2: Reverse Osmosis

For maximum protection, a reverse osmosis system is recommended to address:

• Hexavalent chromium
• Nitrates
• Barium and other heavy metals
• Remaining PFAS not captured by carbon filtration
• Total dissolved solids that contribute to water hardness

Reverse osmosis systems can remove up to 99% of contaminants, providing comprehensive protection against both the regulated and unregulated contaminants found in Flower Mound's water supply.

Stage 3: Ion Exchange (Optional)

For households concerned about moderately high water hardness:

• Ion exchange systems can reduce calcium and magnesium
• This helps prevent scale buildup in appliances
• It improves the effectiveness of soaps and detergents

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