City of Mission

We're proud to present this year's water quality report for the City of Mission. Our commitment to delivering safe, high-quality municipal water remains our top priority. We continuously monitor new regulations, source water protection, conservation efforts, and community education while meeting the needs of all our residents.

Thank you for allowing us to serve your household. We value your feedback on the information contained in this report - informed customers are our greatest allies. For questions about this report or any water-related concerns, please contact Filemon Olvera, Water Treatment Plant Manager, at (956) 584-4310.

Important Health Information: Some individuals may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain contaminants in municipal water, including Cryptosporidium. Infants, some elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems (such as people undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, those on steroid treatments, or people with HIV/AIDS) may face increased risk. Please consult your healthcare provider about your municipal water. Additional guidelines about reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safety. Similarly, FDA regulations set limits for bottled water. All drinking water, including bottled varieties, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

Water Sources and Potential Contaminants:
Our municipal water (both tap and bottled) comes from rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity, including:

• Microbial Contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, or wildlife
• Inorganic Contaminants (salts, metals) from natural sources, urban runoff, industrial wastewater, oil/gas production, or farming
• Pesticides and Herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic Chemical Contaminants (synthetic and volatile compounds) from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, or septic systems
• Radioactive Contaminants from natural sources or oil/gas production

Taste, odor, or color issues in water don't necessarily indicate health concerns. For more information about these aesthetic issues, please contact our office.

Cryptosporidium Information: This microbial parasite occurs in surface water throughout the U.S. While filtration removes Cryptosporidium, standard filtration methods cannot guarantee 100% removal. Monitoring detected one Cryptosporidium oocyst from our North water intake. Current testing can't determine if organisms are viable and disease-causing. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, with most healthy people recovering within weeks. Immunocompromised individuals should consult their healthcare providers about appropriate precautions.

Source Water Assessment: The TCEQ has assessed our source water, finding some sources susceptible to certain contaminants. Our sampling requirements are based on this susceptibility and previous testing data. For more information on assessments and protection efforts, contact Filemon Olvera at (956) 584-4310 or visit www.tceq.texas.gov/gis/swaview.

Water Treatment Process: Our multi-step treatment begins with raw water from the Rio Grande River flowing through irrigation canals to our reservoirs, where copper sulfate controls algae. The water then flows to pump intakes where powdered activated carbon addresses taste and odor issues. At the treatment plant, aluminum sulfate, polymer, and chlorine dioxide are added for coagulation and disinfection. The resulting floc settles, and water is filtered through anthracite coal and sand to remove suspended particles. Chlorine and ammonium sulfate provide ongoing disinfection, while polyphosphate prevents pipe corrosion before distribution.

Our Water Sources: The City of Mission operates two treatment plants: the South Water Treatment Plant (8.0 MGD) and the North Water Treatment Plant (17.5 MGD), with a combined capacity of 25.5 MGD. Our raw water comes from the Rio Grande River via irrigation canals.

1. How often is Mission's municipal water tested?
2. What causes water hardness in the Mission area?
3. How does aluminum get into our water supply?
4. Are home filtration systems necessary for Mission residents?
5. What health risks are associated with tetrachloroethylene exposure?