City of Arlington

Arlington Water Resources strives to meet or exceed all federal and state water quality standards. Water delivered to Arlington residents is treated at two advanced facilities: the Pierce-Burch and Steve F. Kubala Water Treatment Plants.

The treatment process utilizes ozone as the primary disinfectant, with aluminum sulfate and cationic polymers added to help sediment and particles clump together and settle during treatment. Water then passes through granular activated carbon filters to remove smaller particles and dissolved chemicals. Finally, chloramine (a mixture of chlorine and ammonia) is added as the water enters the distribution system to maintain safety all the way to your tap.

In 2015, the Arlington City Council approved a $14 million equipment upgrade at the treatment plants. These improvements included replacing aging ozone generators and installing advanced control systems to enhance efficiency and operational safety.

Arlington Water Utilities conducts extensive testing with over 120 sampling locations throughout the city. In 2016 alone, the laboratory collected approximately 5,500 samples and performed 22,350 tests monitoring 144 different substances. This data covers January 1 through December 31, 2016, unless otherwise noted.

All municipal water, including bottled water, naturally contains small amounts of certain substances. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safety. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visit www.epa.gov/safewater.

Water absorbs minerals and substances as it flows over and through the ground. Substances potentially present in untreated water include:

• Microorganisms from septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Naturally occurring salts and metals or those resulting from urban runoff and industrial processes
• Pesticides and herbicides from various sources including agriculture and residential use

What is geosmin and why is it in my water?
Geosmin is a naturally occurring compound found in soil bacteria that live in water bodies like Lake Arlington. When these organisms die, typically during temperature changes, they release geosmin. While not harmful to humans, it can cause an unpleasant taste and odor even at extremely low concentrations (around 15 parts per trillion). Arlington Water typically avoids geosmin issues by operating primarily from the John F. Kubala Treatment Plant during winter months, which sources water from East Texas reservoirs.

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
Arlington Water Utilities is implementing Advanced Metering Infrastructure throughout the city as part of a 10-year project that began in late 2013. AMI meters measure water usage like traditional meters but provide more detailed data and improve efficiency through remote readings. By ordinance, all meters must meet American Water Works Association accuracy standards. As meters age, they may become less accurate, so new meters often measure usage more precisely, which could result in higher billed consumption.

Should I be concerned about lead in my water?
Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Arlington does not have any lead service lines. The most common sources of lead are solder used for copper pipes or fixtures made from brass or chrome-plated brass, particularly in older homes built before 1930. If your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize potential lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned, you may have your water tested. Information about lead in water is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

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