Home Water Filtration FAQ

Do I need a residential water filter in North Texas?

We often receive questions from the public about the need for expensive water filtration systems. Some companies may attempt to sell these systems by raising concerns about the quality of the water in North Texas. Below, you’ll find facts about water quality in our region. 

Many of the people who work at NTMWD live in the more than 70 communities we serve. We stand by the quality of water and hold ourselves to the highest standards for our families and yours.

Is my water safe to drink and use? Are there impurities that make it past the water treatment process that I need to filter out?

Water provided to your city from NTMWD meets or exceeds all federal and state health regulations. This means your water is safe to drink and use straight from the tap. 

We use industry standard water treatment methods like coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation and disinfection to remove solids and sterilize the water. Beyond that, we use state-of-the-art processes like ozonation, which provides additional disinfection and improves the taste of the water.

Do I need a filtration system for the water at my house?

The short answer is no. The water that comes from your tap has been extensively treated and tested and is safe to drink and use without any additional filtration. In rare cases where a patient’s doctor prescribes special care, they are encouraged to follow their doctor’s instruction.

Residential filtration systems are a personal preference. We encourage people considering filtration systems to ensure filters are certified to NSF International Standards by an organization recognized by the American National Standards Institute.  

Why is our water hard? Can’t you get the minerals out?

The water in our area is classified as “moderately hard.” This means there are naturally occurring minerals dissolved in the water. The minerals in the water are safe to consume.

Like many other water providers, NTMWD does not “soften” the water. This is because it is unnecessary for health and safety, and it would increase the cost of water for consumers. High sodium levels in water softeners can also cause negative impacts when they enter our wastewater systems.

How is water in Texoma different from our other water sources?

Lake Texoma is an important part of our water supply, and we’ve been blending it with water from Lavon Lake for years to provide high-quality, reliable, safe drinking water for our Member Cities and Customers.  

Like other lakes, dissolved solids, algae and microorganisms are found in Lake Texoma’s raw water. Some of it is natural—Lake Texoma has a higher salt content, which is why we blend it with water from other sources.

Human factors, like fertilizer runoff, can also affect our lakes by encouraging algal growth. This is why it’s important to care for our watersheds.

Like water from any other source, water from Lake Texoma goes through an intensive treatment process that removes harmful substances. It’s tested at various stages to ensure it meets or exceeds all federal and state regulations, making it safe to drink and use straight from the tap.

If you'd like additional information on NTMWD's water quality testing and monthly water quality reports, visit our water quality page.