The Houston Water Quality: Is It Really Up to your Standards? According to Forbes Magazine Houston, Texas is known for being one of the dirtiest cities within the United States. When I was conducting research on the city’s water quality, I was surprised to learn how well the city really does take care of their water supply. Contradictory to what I first thought, Houston actually has average or normal amounts of contaminates; their scores were all passing for pollutes found in their drinking water and in fact is one of the best water supplies in the Unites States.. Overall the city also seems to care more about their water safety than what I assumed too, given “providing safe and reliable drinking water is their highest priority.”(1) On …show more content…
The organization is required by the Drinking Water Operations or DWO to point out contaminants and tell consumers if the water they are using is safe. (2). Along with AWWA and DWO’s assessment, Houston, Texas has completed numerous, extensive studies of research and found that in 2014 the average number of Chloramine levels was at 2.2%, and the maximum number of Chloramine levels was at 4%. As for inorganic contaminants like Selenium or Arsenic, both were at levels less than average. Studies show that the Arsenic was considered low in this water supply, surely a relief to those drinking the water. I would be terrified if I had found higher doses within the tap. The Arsenic levels were at an average of 1.4ppb and a maximum of 4.4pbb, where the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCGL) was an average of 0pbb to a maximum of 10pbb. The Selenium levels were at an average of 1.0pbb and a maximum of 11pbb and MCGL was a max of 50pbb and an average of 50pbb found. In 2011, the Arsenic levels were at of an average 0.2pbb and a maximum of 5.2pbb. The Selenium levels were at an average of 2pbb and a maximum of 10pbb. Overall, amounts of E coli and Coliform have actually decreased. Houston once had a Highest Monthly Percentage Sample of 0.9% present which is now about 0