Keller Water Quality & Filtration Guide

Introduction To Water Quality in Keller

Keller, Texas, with its population of approximately 44,620 residents, faces unique water quality challenges that merit careful consideration for anyone concerned about their household water supply. The City of Keller water utility primarily relies on purchased surface water rather than groundwater wells operated directly by the city. This approach is consistent with many municipalities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area that depend on regional water authorities and surface water reservoirs.

According to the most recent EPA assessment (January 2021 - March 2021), Keller's municipal water supply meets federal health-based drinking water standards. However, compliance with federal standards doesn't necessarily guarantee optimal water quality for health. Testing conducted between 2013-2019 revealed several contaminants in Keller's water that, while legally permissible, exceed health guidelines established by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

The city maintains ongoing water conservation measures, including:

• Year-round twice-weekly lawn watering schedule based on address numbers
• Prohibition of watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Established drought contingency plans with three progressive stages of water use restrictions

For residents using private wells, the Trinity Aquifer serves as the primary groundwater source in the Keller area, presenting its own set of quality considerations that differ significantly from the municipal supply.

Contaminants and Pollutants in your Local Water

Keller's municipal water supply contains several notable contaminants that warrant attention despite meeting federal compliance standards. The most concerning pollutants identified through comprehensive testing include:

Municipal Water Supply Contaminants:

• Disinfection Byproducts - The most significant category of contaminants in Keller's water:
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5): 9.15 ppb - 91 times above EWG's health guideline (legal limit: 60 ppb)
  • Haloacetic acids (HAA9): 10.4 ppb - 173 times above EWG's health guideline (no legal limit)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs): Detected at levels 60 times above EWG's health guideline
• Additional Regional Water System Contaminants:
  • Arsenic: 0.183 ppb (46 times above EWG's health guideline)
  • Bromate: 0.671 ppb (6.7 times above EWG's health guideline)
  • Bromochloroacetic acid: 7.28 ppb (364 times above EWG's health guideline)
  • Chloroform: 15.1 ppb (38 times above EWG's health guideline)
  • Dichloroacetic acid: Found at 70 times above EWG's health guideline
  • Trichloroacetic acid: 4.88 ppb (49 times above EWG's health guideline)

Trinity Aquifer (Private Wells) Contaminants:

Private well owners in Keller accessing the Trinity Aquifer face different water quality challenges:

• Mineral Content: Generally fresh but very hard water in the aquifer's outcrop areas
• Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Increase from less than 1,000 mg/L in eastern portions to 1,000-5,000 mg/L (slightly to moderately saline) as aquifer depth increases
• Increasing Salinity: Sulfate and chloride concentrations tend to increase with well depth
• Regional Variations: Significant quality differences based on location within the aquifer system

The Trinity Aquifer has experienced some of Texas's largest water level declines, ranging from 350 to more than 1,000 feet in nearby counties, which may affect long-term sustainability for private well owners.

Explanation of Contaminants and their Problems

Disinfection Byproducts (HAAs and TTHMs)

Disinfection byproducts form when chlorine or other disinfectants used to treat drinking water react with naturally occurring organic matter. While disinfection is necessary to prevent waterborne disease, these byproducts present serious health concerns.

Health Implications:

• Long-term exposure associated with increased cancer risk
• California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has established health guidelines based on one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level
• Potential reproductive issues with certain compounds like trihalomethanes
• TTHMs include chloroform, which was found at 38 times above health guidelines in the regional water system

Daily Impact:Water containing elevated levels of these compounds may not show obvious signs in appearance, taste, or odor, making them particularly concerning as they can go undetected without specific testing. Regular consumption of water with these disinfection byproducts may contribute to cumulative health risks over time.

Arsenic

Though specific levels for Keller were not detailed in the research, arsenic was found at levels 46 times above EWG's health guideline in the broader Tarrant County water project, making it a potential concern for area residents.

Health Implications:

• Potent carcinogen affecting multiple organ systems
• Long-term exposure linked to skin, bladder, lung, and prostate cancers
• Can contribute to cardiovascular issues and diabetes
• Particularly dangerous for children's developing bodies

Daily Impact:Like disinfection byproducts, arsenic has no distinctive taste or smell in water, allowing it to go undetected without specific testing. Continuous exposure, even at low levels, can contribute to serious health problems over time.

Bromate

Bromate is a carcinogenic disinfection byproduct formed when source waters containing bromide are treated with ozonation or sodium hypochlorite.

Health Implications:

• Damages DNA and causes cancer in multiple organs in laboratory animals
• Classified as a potential human carcinogen
• Found at levels 6.7 times above EWG's health guideline in the regional water system

Daily Impact:Bromate contamination represents another invisible risk factor in drinking water that contributes to long-term health concerns rather than producing immediate noticeable effects.

Hard Water and Minerals (Private Wells)

For Keller residents using private wells, the Trinity Aquifer's hard water characteristics present different challenges.

Daily Impact:

• Scale buildup on fixtures, appliances, and plumbing
• Reduced efficiency of water heaters and washing machines
• Increased soap and detergent requirements
• Spotting on dishes and glassware
• Potential metallic taste in drinking water
• Dry skin and hair after bathing
• Shortened lifespan of water-using appliances

As well depth increases, rising mineral and salt content can worsen these issues and potentially affect taste, odor, and overall usability of the water.

Deep Dive on Well Water Quality in the Area

Trinity Aquifer Water Quality

The Trinity Aquifer underlies the Keller area and extends across approximately 31,000 square miles of central and northeastern Texas. This extensive aquifer system serves as the primary groundwater source for private wells in Tarrant County, including those in Keller.

Aquifer Composition:The Trinity Aquifer is composed of several smaller aquifers within the Trinity Group:

• Antlers, Glen Rose, Paluxy, Twin Mountains, Travis Peak, Hensell, and Hosston aquifers
• Formations consist of limestones, sands, clays, gravels, and conglomerates
• Varying water-bearing capacities throughout the system
• Combined freshwater saturated thickness averages about 600 feet in North Texas

Quality Characteristics by Depth:Water quality in the Trinity Aquifer varies significantly with depth and location:

• Upper Zones:
  • Generally fresher water with lower dissolved solids
  • Hard water characteristics predominate
  • Better overall quality but potentially lower yield
• Middle to Lower Zones:
  • Increasing mineral content with depth
  • Total dissolved solids rise from under 1,000 mg/L to between 1,000-5,000 mg/L
  • Progressively higher sulfate and chloride concentrations
  • Water transitions from fresh to slightly or moderately saline

Sustainability Concerns:The Trinity Aquifer faces significant challenges that affect private well owners in Keller:

• Some of Texas's largest water level declines (350 to over 1,000 feet in nearby counties)
• Primarily attributed to municipal pumping across the region
• May necessitate deeper wells or lowering of pumps over time
• Long-term concern for sustained groundwater access
• Declining water levels have slowed as municipalities increasingly rely on surface water

The presence of established well services in the area, such as Keller Drilling Company operating since 1997, indicates continued reliance on groundwater wells by some residents and businesses despite these challenges.

Filtration Recommendations for Keller

Based on the contaminant profile identified in Keller's water supply, the following filtration approaches would effectively address the primary concerns for both municipal water users and private well owners.

For Municipal Water Supply

Activated Carbon Filtration:This technology specifically targets the disinfection byproducts that represent Keller's most significant municipal water contaminants.

• Benefits:
  • Highly effective for reducing haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes
  • Can be implemented as point-of-use (under sink, countertop) or point-of-entry (whole house) systems
  • Relatively affordable and low-maintenance option
  • Improves taste and odor along with reducing harmful contaminants
• Considerations:
  • Requires regular replacement of filter media (typically every 3-6 months)
  • Doesn't address mineral content or hardness issues
  • Less effective against inorganic contaminants like arsenic

Reverse Osmosis:For those seeking the most comprehensive filtration solution, reverse osmosis provides superior removal of virtually all contaminants found in Keller's water.

• Benefits:
  • Removes disinfection byproducts, arsenic, and dissolved minerals
  • Typically removes 95-99% of most contaminants
  • Provides the highest quality drinking water possible
  • Addresses both organic and inorganic contaminants
• Considerations:
  • Usually installed as a point-of-use system for drinking and cooking water
  • Produces waste water during the filtration process
  • May reduce beneficial minerals along with contaminants
  • Higher initial cost than carbon filtration
  • Requires regular maintenance and filter replacement

For Private Well Water

Combination Systems:For Trinity Aquifer well water with its hard water characteristics and potentially increasing mineral content with depth, a multi-stage approach is recommended:

1. Sediment Pre-filtration:
   • Removes particulates and suspended solids
   • Protects and extends the life of subsequent filtration components
   • Critical first stage for well water systems
2. Water Softening:
   • Addresses the Trinity Aquifer's hard water characteristics
   • Reduces scale buildup in plumbing and appliances
   • Improves soap efficiency and reduces spotting on dishes
3. Activated Carbon Filtration:
   • Removes organic compounds and improves taste and odor
   • Secondary stage after water softening
4. Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange (Final Stage):
   • Provides comprehensive treatment of remaining dissolved solids
   • Particularly effective for wells with higher mineral content or potential arsenic
   • Delivers high-quality drinking water regardless of well depth or location

Regular Testing Protocol:Given the variability in water quality across both the municipal supply and the Trinity Aquifer, we strongly recommend:

• Initial comprehensive water quality test to establish baseline contaminant levels
• Annual follow-up testing to monitor any changes in water quality
• Additional testing following any changes in water taste, odor, or appearance
• Customized filtration strategy based on specific test results

By implementing these targeted filtration solutions, Keller residents can effectively address the specific contaminant profile of their water source, whether municipal or private well, ensuring safe, clean water for their households despite the challenges presented by the local water supply.

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