City of Waco

The City of Waco municipal water consistently meets or exceeds all national and state water quality standards. The Water Utilities Services Department (Public Water System #1550008) proudly maintains a Superior rating from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for water quality excellence.

This report summarizes the water quality provided to our customers during the most recent assessment period. The analysis uses data from the latest EPA-required testing protocols. Our goal is to help residents better understand what's in their tap water.

Where Does Our Water Come From?
Waco's municipal water is 99% surface water primarily from Lake Waco, with less than 1% sourced from the Trinity Aquifer groundwater system.

Source Water Assessment and Protection
The TCEQ has completed an assessment of our source water, which indicates some vulnerability to certain contaminants. Testing requirements are based on this susceptibility assessment and previous data. Any detected contaminants are documented in this report. For more information about source water protection efforts, contact the City of Waco Water Quality Lab at (254) 750-1662.

Important Health Information
Some residents may be more vulnerable than the general population to certain microbial contaminants in tap water. Infants, elderly individuals, those with compromised immune systems from medical treatments, organ transplants, HIV/AIDS, or other disorders should seek advice from healthcare providers about their water consumption. Additional guidance on reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Municipal Water Standards
The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safe drinking water. FDA regulations set similar standards for bottled water products. All water sources (tap and bottled) may contain small amounts of some contaminants from natural or human activities.

Potential Source Water Contaminants:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage systems, agriculture, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) from urban runoff, industrial processes, or mining
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, and gas stations
• Radioactive contaminants from natural deposits or industrial activities

Water Conservation Tips
The average U.S. household uses approximately 400 gallons of water daily. Simple conservation practices can make a significant difference:

• Take shorter showers - a five-minute shower uses only 10-25 gallons compared to 50 gallons for a bath
• Install water-efficient showerheads to save up to 500 gallons monthly
• Run clothes washers and dishwashers only when full to save up to 1,000 gallons monthly
• Check fixtures for leaks - even a slow drip wastes 5 gallons daily
• Leave grass clippings on your lawn to maintain soil moisture
• Collect rainwater for plant irrigation

The City of Waco offers an online irrigation calculator to help determine optimal lawn watering needs based on grass type, shade coverage, and recent rainfall data through the TexasET Network in partnership with Texas A&M University.

1. Is Waco's water safe to drink?
   Yes, Waco's municipal water meets all EPA and state standards, though certain contaminants may be present at low levels.
2. What causes water hardness in Waco?
   Water hardness in Waco primarily comes from naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium that dissolve into surface water from surrounding limestone formations.
3. How often is Waco's water tested?
   The City of Waco conducts daily water quality monitoring with thousands of tests performed annually to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.
4. Does Waco add fluoride to its water?
   Yes, Waco maintains optimal fluoride levels in accordance with public health recommendations for dental health benefits.
5. What should I do if I'm concerned about my water quality?
   Residents with concerns can request additional testing from the Water Utilities department or consider home water filtration systems designed for specific contaminants.