Water Treatment

Our water is treated with chloramines.

This is a type of disinfection method where ammonia is injected into the water prior to chlorine.
Mixing ammonia and chlorine produces chloramines.

Chloramines have the advantage of longer duration compared to straight chlorine, with less disinfection by-product (DBP).
Additionally, chloramines are used to minimize the formation of THM's (trihalomethanes).

THM's are suspected of being factors in causing some forms of cancer and birth defects.
Highland Village water has levels of THM's below the limits set by state and federal governments..

Chloramines are effective in maintaining a disinfectant residual within the city's water distribution system

Each day, technicians obtain residuals at 14 sites throughout the City to assure proper disinfection.

Additionally, each month, 15 samples of water are submitted to a laboratory to obtain bacteriological analysis.
Samples are taken every week.
In order to insure that your tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) prescribe regulations that limit the amount of contaminants in the water provided by public water systems.

More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791, or by visiting www.epa.gov/safewater/.

Hardness is a property of water derived mainly from the presence of calcium and magnesium, although other natural minerals may also contribute hardness to water.
In water, these minerals exhibit lathering and react with soap to form undesirable precipitates such as the slimy bathtub ring, and also combine with minerals in water heaters to form efficiency robbing scale on tank walls and in pipes.
Hardness of water used for domestic purposes is not objectionable in concentrations less than about 100 mg/L - the hardness of groundwater throughout much of the United States is less than 100 mg/L.

The hardness of the ground water pumped in the City of Highland Village is 31 mg/L (CaCO3).

The purchased surface water from the Upper Trinity Regional Water District is 119 mg/L (CaCO3).

Mixing ground water with surface water in the City of Highland Village keeps the water in the moderately hard range.

If you would like more information on water quality, please contact the Utility Division at 972-317-2989.

All water has its own unique taste and odor characteristics.
Highland Village like many other water suppliers, occasionally experiences taste and odor changes.

In the summer and early fall, microscopic organisms, such as algae, in area lakes occasionally give water an earthy taste and odor.

The odor may be more noticeable in hot water from your pipes.
Temperature change, excessive rainfall and flooding can also alter the taste of the water.

You may detect a difference in taste after returning home from an extended trip.

This is caused when the water is stored in the house plumbing for a long time. The taste should return to normal.

Why does the water sometimes look brown or yellow?

The color comes from iron or mineral deposits inside the pipe that become dislodged during the repairs.

If discolored water appears frequently, or is usually the first water drawn in the morning, or occurs only in one section of the house, the home plumbing probably causes it.
If it is caused by work on water mains, wait until the work is completed and then run the faucet until the water is clear.

Why does my water appear cloudy or milky at times?

Water saturated with oxygen will release the oxygen as it warms.
This release makes the water appear milky or cloudy, but it does not affect the safety of the water.
The cloudiness usually will disappear in about 30 seconds.

How much fluoride is in my water?

Fluoride occurs naturally in our water at a concentration of 0.5 parts per million, which is within the guidelines recommended by the U.S. EPA, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the American Dental Association.