Here in Texas, hurricane season always brings a warning to prepare—not just sandbags and shutters, but something often overlooked: your water. When storms knock out power, flood infrastructure, or contaminate sources, having safe water becomes a lifeline. In this guide, I’ll walk you through what Texans really face when it comes to water quality, what can go wrong in emergencies, how to prep for them, and real, practical ways you can protect your home—with mention of how companies like Aquapure can help (not as sales talk, but as real solutions many folks are using).
Understanding Texas Water: What You’re Dealing With
Before you stock up or start filtering, it’s good to know what you might be facing. Water quality varies enormously across Texas—depending on city or county, surface vs. ground water, proximity to industry, and geological formations. But there are several common issues many Texans share.
Hard Water: The Mineral Load
- Many areas in Texas—especially Central Texas, North Texas, and much of rural areas—have very hard water. That means high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, often from limestone, gypsum, dolomite, and other sedimentary rocks.
- For example, the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) water (serving Garland and many others) is considered “moderately hard.” In Garland, hardness averages about 161 milligrams per liter (mg/L), or 7.0–10.5 grains per gallon.
Disinfection Residuals: Chlorine & Chloramine
- To keep water safe from bacteria, many Texas utilities use chlorine or chloramine. These leave behind residuals in the distribution system. Chlorine can be harsh in taste or smell; it can degrade some plumbing materials or resin beads in softeners over time.
- For example, New Braunfels Utilities’ water carries a chlorine residual of 2–3 mg/L.
PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)
- PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) have become a big concern across Texas. These are synthetic chemicals used in many industrial and consumer products, resistant to breakdown, which can accumulate in water supplies.
- As of recent reports, over 420 public water systems in Texas have submitted PFAS testing data; 113 detected some level of PFAS. Some cities like Fort Worth, Arlington, Baytown, etc., had at least one exceedance of new PFAS limits.
- Some wells in areas like San Antonio have PFAS, though often below regulatory limits so far.
Other Issues: Sediment, Salinity, Metals
- In coastal areas, groundwater can have salinity (saltwater intrusion) especially if aquifers are overdrawn or impacted by sea water. That affects taste and can accelerate pipe corrosion. (Homer’s Soft Water)
- In some areas, arsenic and other heavy metals are elevated in wells, particularly in western and central Texas. Natural rock content sometimes leaches arsenic. (Homer’s Soft Water)
- Sediment, turbidity, or surface runoff especially after heavy rains (which hurricanes bring) can flick up contaminants or cause water to be cloudy, full of particles, or carry microbial risk if treatment is compromised.
Why It Matters: Health, Infrastructure, Daily Life
Knowing the contaminants is one thing. Seeing what they can do is another. Hurricanes add extra risk. Let’s look at the effects—both everyday ones and when things go wrong.
Health Impacts
- PFAS exposure has been linked with several health concerns: some cancers, immune system effects, developmental issues in children. Because they persist, even low-level exposure over a long time adds up.
- Arsenic (in certain well water) can cause skin changes, increased risks of organ damage, and over time, cancer risk.
- High salinity can strain kidneys in vulnerable people, cause high blood pressure, and make drinking water less palatable.
- Disinfection by-products (from chlorine/chloramine reacting with organic material) can irritate the eyes, skin, respiratory tract, and in some cases have longer‐term risks.
Effects on Plumbing, Appliances, and Home Comfort
- Hard water causes scale (mineral buildup) inside pipes, on fixtures, inside water heaters. That reduces flow, reduces heater efficiency, shortens the lifespan of appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, kettles.
- It makes soap less effective: more soap or detergent needed, soap scum on dishes, more frequent cleaning. Skin may feel dry; hair duller.
- Chlorine smell or taste can be off-putting; it may fade if water is left to sit, but that’s not always practical.
- Sediment or turbidity can clog filters, faucet aerators; cloudy water; washing issues. After storms, catchment may pull soil, debris into system.
- Rust or metallic taste from corroding pipes if water is somewhat acidic or has high mineral or metal load.
During a Hurricane or Storm Event
- Loss of power → water treatment plants may be less effective; disinfectant dosing might drop.
- Flooding can cause sewage or chemical runoff entering water supply. If wells or pipelines are submerged or damaged, contamination risk rises.
- Infrastructure damage can lead to turbidity, broken water mains, cross‐connections. All that means increased risk of bacteria or chemical contamination.
- Access issues: store water becomes critical if tap water is unsafe or unavailable.
How to Spot Problems Early: What Texans Should Watch For
Being alert to changes in your water can give you time to act before damage or risk gets serious.
| Sign | What It Might Mean |
|---|---|
| White or cloudy water that clears from bottom up | Air bubbles or temporary pressure changes—often harmless—but sustained cloudiness or sediment might suggest turbidity or dislodged particles. |
| Brown, red, metallic tint | Rust in pipes; iron or manganese; could be pipe corrosion or sediment intrusion. |
| Scale buildup (white crust) on faucets, shower heads, kettle bottoms | Hard water minerals building up. |
| Soap doesn’t lather, spotting on dishes or glassware | Again, hardness or possibly high total dissolved solids (TDS). |
| Unpleasant chlorine smell, “swimming pool” taste | Too much chlorine or chloramine residual; may also be reacting with organic matter. |
| Salty or brackish taste | Salinity issues—especially in coastal or well‐dependent regions. |
| After heavy rains or hurricanes: discolored water, sediment, or visible turbidity | Likely contamination or sediment entering through damaged lines or runoff. |
| Smell of sewage, mold, dampness in water smell | Possible cross‐contamination, broken lines, overwhelmed treatment. |
Also: keep an eye on local water quality reports and alerts from your city or county. Agencies like TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) publish reports on contaminant levels, hardness, PFAS testing etc. (TCEQ)
Storing & Treating Water for Hurricanes & Emergencies
Now: what to do before and during to ensure your water stays safe. Think of it in two phases: storing, then treating / purifying.
A. Storing Water
- Decide how much you need
- For drinking: guideline is at least one gallon per person per day for drinking & sanitation. For storms lasting several days (say 3‐5), plan accordingly.
- Think also about cooking, brushing teeth, pets. If someone has special needs (infant formula, medical), factor those in.
- Choose proper containers
- Food‐grade plastic containers, glass jugs, stainless steel containers with tight lids.
- Clean them well before filling (wash with dish soap, rinse well).
- Label the date filled.
- Store in cool, dark place
- Heat and UV degrade water quality; cooler, shaded storage keeps water longer.
- Avoid direct sunlight on containers (which can promote algae or bacterial growth).
- Rotate/refresh as needed
- If storing more than 6 months, consider replacing. You can refresh by using part of stored water (for cleaning, etc.), then refill.
- Use bleach (if safe/unflavored, non‐scented) for sanitizing containers prior to reuse.
- Emergency backup options
- Keep water‐purifying tablets or drops for use if stored water runs out.
- Consider having a portable water filter or purification system (gravity filter, ceramic, etc.).
- Bottled water can be used but heavy to store in large quantities.
- Have redundancy
- If your well or municipal supply goes out, have stored water + a way to treat new water.
- Maybe capture rainwater where legal and safe (after filtering) for non‐drinking uses, hygiene.
B. Treating Water: Filtration, Purification, and Systems
When storms hit, or even regularly, you may want to treat the water coming into your home, or parts of it. Here are practical options, especially in Texas.
| Problem | Treatment Option(s) | Pros & Cons / What to Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| Hard water (scale, appliance damage) | Water softeners (ion exchange, salt‐based or salt‐free alternatives) | Softening reduces scale, helps soap performance, extends life of appliances. But salt‐based systems need maintenance (salt, resin cleaning), and some jurisdictions limit salt discharge. Salt‐free alternatives reduce scale but may not be as effective. Aquapure can customize systems to your hardness level and usage. |
| Chlorine / Chloramine / Disinfectant smell/taste | Activated carbon filters (point‐of‐entry or point‐of‐use e.g. under sink), charcoal filters, or whole‐house carbon systems. | Carbon filters need regular replacement; chloramine is harder to remove than chlorine. Make sure the filter is certified for the disinfectant in question. |
| PFAS / Chemicals / Forever Chemicals | Specialized filters: reverse osmosis (RO), activated carbon (especially granular activated carbon or GAC that is rated for PFAS), sometimes ion exchange or advanced oxidation depending on levels. | RO systems waste some water; need maintenance; certified for the specific PFAS compounds; whole‐house versions are more expensive. Municipal systems are starting to upgrade but many private homes need secondary treatment. Aquapure offers filtration systems that can address PFAS as part of a custom design. |
| Sediment, turbidity, suspended particles | Sediment pre‐filters, cartridge filters, backwashing filters; sometimes UV for microbial risk. | Filters clog; you need to replace cartridges; water clarity may fluctuate especially after storms. |
| Salinity / high TDS (in coastal wells or aquifers) | Reverse osmosis, distillation, or partial blending with less salty sources; perhaps upgrading well sealings etc. | Expensive; RO removes many beneficial minerals too; may require storage tanks for treated water; electricity needed. |
| Microbial contamination (bacteria, viruses, protozoa) especially post‐flood | Boiling water; UV purifiers; chlorine bleach treatment (unscented, small dose), microfiltration; safe source protection. | Boiling is accessible but requires fuel; UV units need power; chemical methods require precise dosing. |
Putting It Together: Preparing Your Home Before the Storm
Here’s a checklist & plan you could implement in Texas, especially in coastal or flood‐prone zones, ahead of hurricane season.
- Get your water tested now
- Use local authorities or certified labs. Test for hardness, TDS, metals (e.g. arsenic, lead if plumbing is old), PFAS if possible, chlorine/chloramine levels, bacteria.
- If you are on a private well, testing is critical. City water has public reporting but wells do not.
- Choose the right filtering / softening system
- Don’t guess: match system to the contaminants in your water plus your household usage.
- Explore whole‐house treatment vs. point‐of‐use (for drinking/cooking) solutions.
- Check maintenance requirements: filter changes, salt, power, backup in outages.
- Work with trusted technicians & companies
- For installation and maintenance, use certified technicians (plumbers or water treatment specialists).
- Companies like Aquapure (Texas-owned, family-operated, in business 10+ years) offer free installations in many areas, lifetime warranty, and $0 down / financing options. If you pick a system through them, you get support that ensures it’s properly sized, installed, maintained.
- Backup for power outages
- If water treatment systems rely on electricity (softeners, RO), plan for power loss. Maybe battery backup, generator, or manual purging to retain essential function.
- For stored water, keep coolers, containers accessible.
- Emergency supply
- Maintain at least a few days’ worth of clean water, bottled or stored.
- Also keep disinfectants and filters for use after storms (e.g. water purification tablets, household bleach).
- After the storm
- Be alert for boil-water notices or advisories from your city/county.
- Flush systems (run cold water faucets) to clear stagnant water. Clean filters. Clean/re‐sanitize containers.
- Test again if you suspect damage or contamination (well heads flooded, pipelines broken, etc.).
How Aquapure Can Fit Into the Picture (Naturally)
Because local companies often do the best job understanding Texas-specific water issues, here’s how one such company, Aquapure, is helping people like you (not pushy, just informative), and what to look for:
- Customized Solutions for Every Home’s Needs: Every home is in a different spot, with different water sources and contaminants. Aquapure evaluates your water test, hardness, household size, and installs a system that addresses your mix (hardness + PFAS + chlorine etc.).
- Free Installation & Certified Technician Support: Having someone who knows plumbing, electrical, and local codes makes a big difference. Aquapure provides certified technicians, which helps ensure installation is done well, and system works as it should.
- Easy Financing / $0 Down / Buy Now – Pay Later: Many homeowners hesitate because of upfront cost. Option for $0 down or financing spreads the cost out, making it more accessible. This is especially helpful before hurricane season when budgeting for potential emergencies becomes a priority.
- Lifetime Warranty: Because storms and regular wear can strain systems, having warranty coverage means you’re not facing surprise repair or replacement costs.
- Texas-Owned, Family-Operated, Trusted for 10+ Years: Local businesses understand local challenges—salinity in coastal wells, PFAS issues around industrial areas, scale from hard water—often better than national one-size-fits-all solutions. They can act more responsively after a storm if you need service.
In short: if you decide you need a water softener (see more here) or a filtration system (see more here), Aquapure is one option among many—but a local one worth considering.
Local Water Concerns by Region: Examples
To make this more real, here are a few known issues in specific parts of Texas. Your city might share characteristics of one.
| Region / City | Key Water Issues Noted | What Locals Say / Official Data |
|---|---|---|
| North Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth, Garland, etc.) | Hard water levels “moderately hard” to hard; PFAS detections in many water systems above new limits; chlorine/chloramine residuals; scale buildup in heaters, plumbing issues. (North Texas Municipal Water District) | |
| Central Texas / Hill Country | Reliance on aquifers (e.g. Edwards Aquifer) means water can pick up minerals from limestone; hardness often very hard; variability due to drought or rainfall; less industrial PFAS compared to heavy industrial zones but still monitored. (Jason’s Water Softener) | |
| South Texas / Coastal Areas | Saltwater intrusion, high salinity in wells; risk of flooding or storm surge contaminating wells; possible microbial risk after flooding. Also disinfection residuals and maybe industrial runoff. | |
| West Texas | More reliance on wells; more exposure to natural heavy metals (arsenic, uranium in some areas); very hard water. Less frequent municipal PFAS data but private well owners must be vigilant. |
Hurricane-Prep Specific Tips: Water Focus
Here are what I’d recommend doing now, ahead of storms, to protect yourself and your family when a hurricane threatens:
- Test your water now, not during a storm, so you have baseline data.
- Install or maintain a whole-house softener and filtration system so that when supply becomes compromised (silt, chlorine spikes, PFAS risk), your home has a buffer.
- Store clean, treated water. Enough for a few days. Rotate and replace.
- Have a plan for treating new incoming water if needed: either boiling, chemical disinfection, or portable filters.
- Keep spare filters, replacement cartridges, spare parts for your system. After hurricanes many parts may be hard to get quickly.
- Know who to call locally (licensed plumbers, water treatment techs) and have their contact ready. Local companies bounce back faster than those distant.
Local FAQ
Here are some questions I often hear from Texans, especially in places like Katy, Houston, the DFW area. If your area isn’t exactly like these, the answers will often still help.
Q: Is Katy tap water safe?
A: Generally, yes. Katy gets water from the municipal supply and is subject to state & federal regulations. However, “safe” doesn’t always mean “perfect” — there can still be hard water, disinfectant residuals (chlorine or chloramine), slight taste/odor issues. PFAS monitoring is expanding statewide, so over time the city’s supply will be tested more rigorously. If you’re concerned (taste, smell, health, sensitive household), a point-of-use or point-of-entry filter might be worth it.
Q: Do I need a water softener in Katy / Houston / Dallas etc.?
A: If you notice scale on fixtures (shower doors cloudy, faucets crusted), your soap and detergents cost more, your dishwasher or water heater seems to degrade faster, then yes, a water softener can bring real benefits. Even if the water is “safe” chemically, hard water adds wear and tear and annoyance. In coastal or groundwater-areas, hardness often high enough that softening is practical.
Q: How much does it cost in Katy to install water treatment / softeners?
A: That varies with:
- The size of your home and how many bathrooms you have
- How hard your water is, and what specific contaminants are present (e.g. PFAS, arsenic, salinity)
- Whether you want whole-house treatment or just drinking water / kitchen use
- Whether you choose basic systems or more advanced ones (RO, UV, etc.)
To give a rough idea: a basic water softener system for an average home might run a few thousand dollars installed; more advanced filtration or RO, more. But companies like Aquapure may offer $0 down payment / easy financing and free installation by certified technicians, plus a lifetime warranty, which spreads the cost and reduces surprise expenses.
Q: What about water after a hurricane or flooding—how do I know if mine is still okay?
A: After flooding, listen for boil-water alerts from your city or water authority. If water is discolored, has sediment, smells—assume it’s not okay for drinking. You may treat via boiling (boil for at least 1 minute), or use purification tablets or filtration designed for microbial removal. Replace pre-filters if they got clogged or contaminated; sanitize storage containers. If you have a whole‐house filter/softener, run faucets to clear stagnated water before relying on it for drinking.
Q: Will a filtration system remove PFAS?
A: Some will; it depends on the system. To remove PFAS, filters generally need to be certified for PFAS removal, often via activated carbon (granular or block), reverse osmosis, or ion exchange media. Make sure you check the specification. Aquapure offers filtration systems that can be tailored to handle PFAS as part of your setup.
Final Take & Call to Action
If you live in Texas, preparing for hurricanes means planning for safe water—not just storm shutters and food. The mix of hard water, disinfection chemicals, PFAS, and risk of contamination during storms makes this a real concern.
If you haven’t already, I recommend:
- Get a full water test (especially if on a private well or close to industrial areas).
- Assess your systems (softener, filter) and whether they are sufficient given your test results.
- Consider options that give you peace of mind—like Aquapure’s free installation, lifetime warranty, and customized solutions—so you don’t have to scramble after the next storm.
If you want, I can help you find the right system options for your area—based on your water test, your house size, and your budget. And you can always request a free water test or quote from Aquapure to see what fits best before hurricane season ramps up.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and may your water stay clean and reliable no matter what the storm brings.