Houston tap water meets all EPA and TCEQ standards. It's legally safe to drink.
But "legal" and "ideal" aren't the same thing.
Houston's water won't make you sick today. That said, there are things worth understanding — especially if you've noticed buildup on your fixtures, dry skin after showers, or that distinct chlorine smell. This guide breaks down what's actually in Houston water, what causes the issues you're noticing, and when filtration makes sense for your home.
No scare tactics. Just facts so you can make an informed decision.
Where Houston's Water Comes From
Houston draws water from two main sources: groundwater (wells and aquifers) and surface water (Lake Houston, Lake Livingston, and the Trinity River).
The mix varies by neighborhood and water district, but groundwater makes up a significant portion of what flows through Houston pipes. As that water travels through underground limestone formations, it picks up dissolved minerals — primarily calcium and magnesium. This is why Houston has hard water.
After collection, water goes through treatment plants where it's filtered, disinfected, and tested before traveling through hundreds of miles of pipes to reach your home. The water leaving the treatment plant meets federal standards. What happens between the plant and your tap depends on the condition of the infrastructure and your home's plumbing.
Why Houston Water Is So Hard
If you've noticed white crusty buildup on your faucets, water spots on your glass shower doors, or a film on your dishes even after running the dishwasher — that's hard water.
Houston's water hardness ranges from about 8 to 17 grains per gallon (GPG) depending on where you live. For reference:
- 0-3 GPG: Soft
- 3-7 GPG: Moderate
- 7-10 GPG: Hard
- 10+ GPG: Very Hard
Most of Houston falls into the "hard" to "very hard" category.
Hardness by Area (Approximate)
| Area | Hardness (GPG) | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Katy | 10-14 | Very Hard |
| Cypress | 10-15 | Very Hard |
| Sugar Land | 9-12 | Hard to Very Hard |
| The Woodlands | 8-11 | Hard |
| Pearland | 9-13 | Hard to Very Hard |
| Spring | 8-11 | Hard |
| Tomball | 10-13 | Very Hard |
| Richmond/Rosenberg | 11-15 | Very Hard |
| Inner Loop | 7-10 | Hard |
Note: Actual hardness varies by water district. A water test gives you exact numbers for your home.
Hard water isn't a health risk. The EPA doesn't regulate hardness because calcium and magnesium aren't harmful to drink. But hard water does create problems: scale buildup in pipes and appliances, reduced water heater efficiency, dry skin and hair, and that frustrating residue on everything.
For more on this, see our Hard Water and Appliance Damage Guide.
Chloramine: Houston's Disinfectant
Houston uses chloramine to disinfect its water supply. Chloramine is a combination of chlorine and ammonia, and Houston made the switch decades ago.
Why chloramine? It's more stable than chlorine alone. It lasts longer as water travels through miles of pipes, which helps maintain disinfection all the way to your tap. From a public health standpoint, this is effective — it reduces the risk of waterborne illness across a large distribution system.
The tradeoff: Chloramine is potent. Some people notice the smell or taste more than others. And some people experience sensitivity to it, particularly those with skin conditions like eczema or respiratory sensitivities.
One of our customers had an infant who experienced eczema flare-ups after every bath. During a visit to a friend's house, they bathed her there — and for the first time, no flare-up. When they asked what was different, they learned the friends had a whole-home filtration system. When that family bought their new home, installing filtration was one of the first things they did.
That's one family's experience, not a clinical study. But it's a story we hear variations of regularly. Chloramine affects people differently, and some notice a significant difference when it's removed from their water.
Learn more in our Chloramine in Houston Water Guide.
The Real Concern: Disinfection Byproducts
Here's something that doesn't get talked about enough: disinfection byproducts.
When chloramine (or chlorine) reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in water, it creates chemical byproducts. The two main categories are:
- Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
- Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
These compounds are found on virtually every Houston water quality report. They're not hidden — water utilities are required to test for and report them.
The EPA has set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for these byproducts, and Houston's water typically falls within those limits. That said, the limits were established based on balancing disinfection benefits against health concerns, and some health advocates argue the thresholds should be lower.
We're not here to tell you the EPA is wrong. But we do think it's worth understanding what's in your water, especially for families thinking about long-term exposure over years or decades.
This is why we recommend that anyone installing a water softener also add a catalytic carbon stage. Softeners address the hardness minerals. Catalytic carbon addresses chloramine and helps reduce disinfection byproducts. It's the difference between treating one symptom versus addressing multiple concerns.
What About Lead, PFAS, and Other Contaminants?
A few other contaminants come up frequently:
Lead: Houston's water doesn't contain lead when it leaves the treatment plant. Lead enters water through older pipes, solder, and fixtures — particularly in homes built before 1986. If you have an older home, testing your water at the tap is the only way to know if lead is present in your specific plumbing.
PFAS (Forever Chemicals): These synthetic chemicals have been in the news due to new EPA regulations. PFAS levels vary across Houston's water districts. The EPA finalized new limits in 2024 with compliance deadlines in the coming years. Reverse osmosis systems are effective at reducing PFAS. See our PFAS Guide for details.
Arsenic, Nitrates, and Others: Houston's water reports show trace amounts of various contaminants, generally below EPA limits. "Below the limit" means compliant with regulations. Whether that level is acceptable for your family is a personal decision.
The honest take: Houston water meets current standards. But many of those standards were established decades ago, and the science on long-term low-level exposure continues to evolve. Staying informed and making choices that fit your family's priorities is reasonable.
Common Water Complaints (And What Causes Them)
| What You're Noticing | Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| White residue on faucets and showerheads | Hard water (calcium/magnesium deposits) |
| Water spots on dishes and glass | Hard water |
| Chlorine or chemical smell | Chloramine disinfection |
| Dry or itchy skin after showering | Chloramine and/or hard water minerals |
| Hair feels waxy or dull | Hard water mineral buildup |
| Metallic or off taste | Dissolved minerals, pipe corrosion, or chloramine |
| Cloudy water | Usually air bubbles (harmless) or sediment |
If you're noticing several of these, you're not imagining it. Houston's water characteristics cause real, everyday effects in homes across the area.
Should You Filter Your Houston Water?
Not everyone needs filtration. Here's a straightforward way to think about it.
Consider filtration if:
- You have infants, young children, or family members with sensitive skin
- Anyone in your home has eczema, allergies, or respiratory sensitivities
- You've noticed persistent buildup, taste issues, or dry skin/hair
- You're concerned about long-term exposure to disinfection byproducts
- You're buying a new home and want to protect plumbing and appliances from day one
- You just want better-tasting, better-feeling water
You might skip it if:
- You're renting short-term and have no major complaints
- Budget is extremely tight and you have no health concerns
- You genuinely have no issues with how your water tastes, smells, or feels
Houston tap water is legally safe. If you're happy with it and have no concerns, you don't need to do anything. But if you're noticing issues or want peace of mind, filtration is a reasonable investment.
Your Options for Better Water
Here's how the common solutions compare:
| Solution | What It Addresses | Starting Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher filter (Brita, etc.) | Taste improvement only | $25-40 |
| Water softener | Hard water (scale, buildup, dry skin from minerals) | $2,965 installed |
| Softener + catalytic carbon | Hard water + chloramine + disinfection byproducts | $3,850 installed |
| Add reverse osmosis | 95%+ contaminant removal for drinking water | +$500-800 |
| Complete system (softener + carbon + RO) | Comprehensive whole-home + drinking water treatment | $4,500-6,500 installed |
Our recommendation: If you're getting a softener, add catalytic carbon. It addresses chloramine and helps with disinfection byproducts — concerns that a softener alone doesn't touch. For families who want the highest quality drinking water, adding an under-sink reverse osmosis system handles virtually everything.
How to Check Your Specific Water Quality
Option 1: Review your water district's annual report
Houston water utilities publish Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) each year. These show test results for regulated contaminants. Search "[your water district] water quality report" to find yours.
Option 2: Check the EWG Tap Water Database
The Environmental Working Group maintains a database at ewg.org/tapwater that compares your utility's results to both EPA limits and their own health guidelines.
Option 3: Get a professional water test
A test at your tap tells you exactly what's in your water after it travels through your home's plumbing. We offer free water consultations that include testing — no obligation, just information.
Get Your Free Water Test
Want to know exactly what's in your Houston water? We'll test it at your tap and walk you through your options — no pressure, no hard sell.
The Bottom Line
Houston tap water is legally safe. It meets EPA and state standards.
It's also hard, disinfected with chloramine, and contains disinfection byproducts that show up on every water report. Whether that matters to you depends on your family's situation, your health priorities, and what you're noticing in your home.
We're not here to scare you into buying something. Plenty of Houstonians drink tap water their whole lives without issue. But if you're reading this guide, you're probably already wondering whether your water could be better. For many families, the answer is yes.
If you want to know exactly what's in your water — and what your options are — we're happy to test it and walk you through solutions. No pressure, no hard sell. Just information so you can decide what's right for your home.
Last updated: January 2026