Highland Park Water Quality & Filtration Guide

Introduction To Water Quality in Highland Park

Highland Park, an affluent community located in Dallas County, Texas, faces unique water quality challenges despite having a sophisticated municipal water system. The town's approximately 8,564 residents receive their drinking water from the Dallas County Park Cities Municipal Utility District (DCPCMUD), which sources water from Grapevine Reservoir via the Elm Fork Trinity River.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has classified Highland Park's water sources as having a "high" susceptibility to contamination based on surrounding human activities and natural watershed conditions. This classification doesn't indicate actual contamination but highlights the potential vulnerability of the water supply, emphasizing the need for robust treatment processes and possibly additional home filtration.

While Highland Park's water consistently meets all federal and state regulatory standards, several contaminants have been detected at levels that, though legally permissible, exceed health guidelines established by scientific and public health organizations. This report examines these contaminants, their potential health impacts, and recommended filtration solutions for Highland Park residents seeking enhanced water quality.

Contaminants and Pollutants in your Local Water

Highland Park's municipal water contains several contaminants that merit attention:

• Arsenic - Detected at 0.152 parts per billion (ppb), which is 38 times above Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Health Guideline of 0.004 ppb but below the EPA's legal limit of 10 ppb
• Disinfection Byproducts:
  • Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) - Measured at 28.5 ppb (legal limit: 80 ppb)
  • Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) - Found at 14.5 ppb (legal limit: 60 ppb)
• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS):
  • PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) - 5.48 parts per trillion (ppt)
  • PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate) - 4.95 ppt
• Other Detected Substances:
  • Aluminum - 30.5 ppb
  • Acetone - 1.79 ppb

It's important to note that while these levels comply with current EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), several exceed more stringent health guidelines that incorporate the latest scientific research on potential health effects.

Explanation of Contaminants and their Problems

Arsenic

Arsenic is a confirmed carcinogen and one of the most significant chemical contaminants in drinking water globally. This naturally occurring element is found in rocks and soil and can dissolve into groundwater and surface water sources.

Long-term exposure to arsenic, even at low concentrations like those found in Highland Park's water, has been associated with serious health concerns:

• Cancer risk - Increased likelihood of developing cancers of the bladder, lungs, liver, kidney, and skin
• Cardiovascular issues - Higher rates of heart disease and related conditions
• Metabolic disorders - Connection to diabetes development
• Dermatological problems - Including lesions, discoloration, and corns
• Developmental concerns - Reduced cognitive function in children exposed during critical developmental periods

Vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals face heightened risk from chronic arsenic exposure, even at levels below regulatory limits.

Disinfection Byproducts

Disinfection byproducts form when chlorine and other disinfectants react with naturally occurring organic and inorganic matter in water. Highland Park's water contains two major categories of these compounds:

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Though below the legal limit, the TTHMs present in Highland Park water (including bromoform, bromodichloromethane, chloroform, and dibromochloromethane) can pose health risks with long-term exposure:

• Organ damage - Potential liver, kidney, and central nervous system problems
• Cancer risk - Increased likelihood of certain cancers with prolonged exposure
• Reproductive concerns - Possible impacts on reproductive health

Importantly, exposure to these compounds occurs not only through drinking but also through skin absorption and inhalation during daily activities like showering, bathing, and washing dishes.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

These compounds, also detected in Highland Park water, are associated with:

• Carcinogenic potential - Increased cancer risk with long-term exposure
• Reproductive and developmental issues - Potential association with birth defects and developmental concerns

PFAS Compounds

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent "forever chemicals" that don't break down in the environment or human body. The PFOA and PFOS detected in Highland Park's water supply exceed new EPA health advisory levels and are linked to:

• Cancer development - Particularly kidney and testicular cancer
• Immune dysfunction - Weakened immune response and increased susceptibility to illness
• Endocrine disruption - Interference with normal hormone function
• Developmental effects - Negative impacts on children's development
• Cardiovascular impacts - Elevated cholesterol levels
• Reduced vaccine effectiveness - Decreased response to vaccinations

Recent EPA updates to health advisories for these compounds reflect growing scientific concern about their health effects even at extremely low concentrations.

Deep Dive on Well Water Quality in the Area

Trinity Aquifer System Water Quality

While Highland Park's municipal water comes from surface water sources, it's worth noting that some residents in the broader Dallas area may use private wells that draw from local aquifers. The primary aquifer system underlying this region is the Trinity Aquifer System.

This multi-layer aquifer system consists of sand, clay, and limestone formations that vary significantly in water quality and yield. The Trinity Group aquifers are among the most extensive in Texas and potentially underlie portions of the Highland Park area.

Private wells tapping into these aquifers may face distinct water quality challenges compared to the municipal supply:

• Elevated arsenic levels - Naturally occurring arsenic is found in higher concentrations in some portions of North Texas aquifers
• Contamination vulnerability - Potential exposure to surface contamination from agricultural activities, industrial sources, or urban runoff
• Mineral content issues - Higher mineral content leading to significant water hardness and potential plumbing complications
• Limited oversight - Unlike municipal water, private well water isn't subject to EPA or state regulatory testing requirements

Private well owners should conduct comprehensive water testing regularly, as the responsibility for monitoring water quality falls solely to individual well owners. Tests should screen for arsenic, nitrates, bacteria, and other region-specific concerns.

Filtration Recommendations for Highland Park

Based on the identified contaminants in Highland Park's water supply, several filtration technologies would effectively address specific concerns while providing comprehensive protection.

For Arsenic Removal

To address the arsenic levels that exceed health guidelines:

• Reverse Osmosis (RO) - These systems force water through a semipermeable membrane, trapping approximately 99% of arsenic along with many other contaminants. RO represents one of the most effective technologies for arsenic reduction.
• Ion Exchange Resins - Specialized media like arsenic-selective anion-exchange resins effectively bind and remove arsenic while having minimal impact on other water characteristics.

For Disinfection Byproducts

To reduce TTHMs and HAA5 compounds:

• Activated Carbon Filtration - High-quality activated carbon, particularly in granular activated carbon (GAC) or solid carbon block form, effectively reduces organic compounds including disinfection byproducts while improving taste and odor.
• Reverse Osmosis - In addition to arsenic removal, RO systems significantly reduce disinfection byproducts and many other organic contaminants.

For PFAS Compounds

To address the concerning PFAS chemicals detected:

• High-Pressure Membranes - Reverse osmosis and nanofiltration systems are among the most effective technologies for PFAS removal, capable of reducing even short-chain PFAS compounds that are more difficult to filter.
• Specialized Activated Carbon - High-quality activated carbon can be effective for longer-chain PFAS compounds, though may be less effective for newer, short-chain PFAS variants.
• Specialized Ion Exchange Resins - Certain anion exchange resins designed specifically for PFAS removal provide another effective option, particularly when combined with carbon filtration.

Comprehensive Multi-Barrier Approach

For Highland Park residents seeking complete protection addressing all identified contaminants, a multi-stage filtration system would be most effective:

1. Sediment Filtration - As a pre-filter to remove particles and protect subsequent filtration stages
2. Activated Carbon - For reduction of disinfection byproducts, some PFAS compounds, and improvement of taste and odor
3. Specialized Media - Such as iron-enhanced media for arsenic removal or specific ion exchange resins for targeted contaminant removal
4. Reverse Osmosis - As a final polishing stage to address the broadest spectrum of contaminants

Residents should consider:

• Point-of-use systems installed at individual taps for drinking and cooking water
• Point-of-entry systems installed where water enters the home for whole-house protection, particularly important for contaminants that can be absorbed through skin or inhaled during showering

While Highland Park's municipal water meets all regulatory standards and undergoes extensive treatment including advanced membrane filtration, the presence of arsenic, disinfection byproducts, and emerging contaminants like PFAS suggests that additional home filtration would benefit residents with specific health concerns or those seeking the highest level of water purity.

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