City of Port Lavaca Water Company

The USEPA establishes regulations limiting certain impurities in public water supplies to ensure tap water safety. Similarly, FDA regulations set impurity limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection. All water sources, including tap and bottled water, naturally contain some level of impurities. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the USEPA's Safe Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791). Water sources including rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells can collect various substances as water moves across land or through ground layers. These include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, industrial discharges, oil and gas production, farming, or mining
• Agricultural chemicals including pesticides and herbicides from various sources
• Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining

Port Lavaca receives its water from surface water diverted from the Guadalupe River and treated at the GBRA Port Lavaca Water Treatment Plant, operated by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority. TCEQ is currently updating a Source Water Assessment for our water source, which identifies potential contaminants based on human activities and natural conditions.

Certified operators continuously monitor and test the water, adding fluoride and chloramine as needed, ensuring compliance with state and federal standards. The treated water travels to city water towers and through the distribution system to residents. For information on water treatment and quality initiatives, contact the GBRA Port Lavaca Water Treatment Plant at 361-552-9751.

1. Where does City of Port Lavaca water come from?
   City of Port Lavaca supplies purchased surface water to Port Lavaca, Texas.
2. Does City of Port Lavaca test its tap water?
   Yes. Like every public water system, City of Port Lavaca must test its water under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and publish an annual water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report). Ask the utility for the latest report or look for it on its website.
3. How do I contact City of Port Lavaca?
   Call 361-552-3347 or visit 202 North Virginia, Port Lavaca, TX 77979, or use the contact options on the utility’s website.
4. Does City of Port Lavaca water contain lead?
   Water usually leaves the treatment plant without lead. Lead can enter tap water from older service lines, solder and brass fixtures inside homes, especially when water sits in the pipes. Run the tap before drinking if water has been sitting, and ask the utility about lead testing and service line records.
5. Is City of Port Lavaca water hard?
   Hardness depends on the source and changes over time. The annual water quality report lists hardness, or you can test it at home. If it is above about 7 grains per gallon, a water softener sized to your measured hardness will stop scale and spotting.