Hamilton Public Water System

Hamilton has owned and operated its water system since 1884. Currently, the Water System is integrated into the City's Department of Underground Utilities, managing both production and distribution services.

The City sources its water from one of North America's premier water reserves, the Great Miami Valley Buried Aquifer. Using a network of 21 deep wells, water is extracted from the aquifer and treated with a specialized chlorine dioxide disinfection process. Two water treatment facilities process the raw aquifer water before distribution.

The underground distribution network spans over 289 miles of water mains throughout Hamilton and adjacent Butler County areas. On average, the City delivers more than 18.5 million gallons of water daily (MGD) to approximately 25,000 customers across Hamilton and portions of Butler County.

Where does my water come from?

Amarillo's water supply primarily comes from both surface water and groundwater sources. The groundwater is sourced from the Ogallala and Santa Rosa aquifers. Lake Meredith, located approximately 32 miles northeast of Amarillo, provides our surface water. Additional groundwater comes from various wellfields in Carson, Potter, Randall and Deaf Smith counties. Amarillo also receives water from Lake Meredith and the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority's (CRMWA) wellfield in Roberts County.

The City employs a conventional treatment system with capacity to process and distribute 108 million gallons daily. Year-round average production typically ranges between 40-50 million gallons per day.

Do I need to take special precautions?

Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems—including those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, some elderly residents, and infants—may face increased infection risks. These individuals should consult healthcare providers regarding municipal water consumption. Guidelines from the EPA/CDC on minimizing Cryptosporidium and other microbial contamination risks are available through the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Why are there contaminants in my municipal water?

Drinking water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels across land surfaces or through ground layers, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and can absorb substances from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants such as viruses, bacteria and protozoans from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants including salts and metals, either naturally-occurring or resulting from urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban runoff and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants, either naturally-occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates public water systems by limiting certain contaminants to ensure drinking water safety. Similarly, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) establishes limits for contaminants in bottled water to protect public health.

Some contaminants may affect taste, color or odor without necessarily causing health concerns. For questions about water aesthetics, please contact our office at the number listed below.

All drinking water, including bottled varieties, reasonably may contain at least minimal amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

How can I get involved?

You can participate in decisions affecting our municipal water system by attending and voicing opinions at Amarillo City Council meetings. The Council convenes every Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Council Chambers (City Hall third floor, 509 SE 7th Ave). You may also contact the City of Amarillo's Director of Utilities at (806) 378-5270, TDD (806) 378-4229, P.O. Box 1971, Amarillo, TX 79105-1971, or russell.grubbs@amarillo.gov.

Please share this information with others who consume this water, especially those who might not receive this notice directly (apartment residents, nursing home residents, schools, and businesses). You can accomplish this by posting in common areas.