City of Southlake

Your Water Utility Company
In 2016, the City of Southlake Public Works Department upgraded all water meters citywide with mobile technology that allows residents to monitor daily water usage via smartphone, tablet, or computer. This system also provides leak notifications so homeowners can address issues promptly without experiencing unexpected high bills.

Water Quality Assurance
Our tap water meets all safety standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This report summarizes the quality of water provided to residents during 2017.

Report Contents

• Guide to Water Quality
• How to Interpret Water Quality Data
• Regulated Contaminants Testing
• Microorganism Testing
• Lead and Copper Testing
• Unregulated Disinfection By-products
• Taste and Odor Issues
• Water Source Information
• Water Conservation

Lead and Copper Information
Elevated lead levels can cause serious health issues, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in tap water primarily comes from service lines and household plumbing materials. While the City of Southlake provides high-quality water, we cannot control plumbing component materials. If faucets haven't been used for several hours, minimize lead exposure by flushing taps for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. Never use hot tap water for cooking or preparing baby formula.

Addressing Taste and Odor Concerns
Occasional "earthy" or "musty" odors and tastes in water result from naturally-occurring algae growth in source waters like Eagle Mountain Lake. These compounds don't present health risks. Other constituents affecting taste, color, and odor are also not health concerns.

Southlake's Water Sources
The City of Southlake receives all water from Fort Worth's Water Department, which obtains water from multiple surface water sources: Lake Worth, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake Bridgeport, Richland Chambers Reservoir, Cedar Creek Reservoir, and Clear Fork Trinity River (from Lake Benbrook).

Water Conservation and Management
The City reported approximately 6.79% water loss in 2017, which includes authorized non-metered usage for fire hydrant maintenance and safety flushing, plus unavoidable leaks and breaks. Our large master meters are tested and calibrated annually to maintain 98.5-101.5% accuracy per American Water Works Association standards.

Stormwater Quality Protection
Southlake maintains a stormwater management program to keep surface water clean. Residents can help by properly disposing of pet waste, avoiding leaf disposal in storm drains, and ensuring proper pool drainage. Visit www.cityofsouthlake.com/environmentalservices for more information.

Protecting Your Plumbing System
Prevent sewer backups by properly disposing of household items. While most people know not to pour grease down drains, other problematic items include "flushable" wipes, cotton swabs, medications, paint, paper towels, and dental floss. These items create costly treatment challenges at the Trinity River Authority plant.

1. How often is Southlake's water tested for contaminants?
2. What causes the occasional chlorine smell in my tap water?
3. Is Southlake's water considered "hard" water?
4. How can I report a water quality concern in my neighborhood?
5. Does the city offer water conservation programs for residents?