What’s really in Houston Water?
When you pour a glass of water, you expect it to be clean, clear, and safe. But even in our favorite city, Houston….your tap water carries far more than meets the eye.
From chlorine to PFAS to naturally occurring minerals in well water, Houston’s unique geology and infrastructure means there are going to be things in you water that you don’t want there. While most municipal water meets EPA standards, “legal” doesn’t mean optimal for your family’s health, comfort, and home.
Understanding what’s really in your water is the first step to fixing it.
The Most Common Contaminants in Houston Water
Over the last 30 years, we’ve tested thousands of homes across Greater Houston. Here’s what we see most often and what each one means for your home:
Chlorine – Necessary for disinfection but often harsh on skin, hair, and plumbing.
Chloramines – Used instead of chlorine to reduce byproducts, but harder to remove and harsher on sensitive systems.
Fluoride – Added for dental health, though some families prefer to filter it out for peace of mind.
Lead – Usually from aging plumbing, not the water source itself; no level is considered safe.
PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”) – Man-made contaminants linked to hormone and immune disruption.
Iron – Common in well water, causing orange stains and metallic taste.
Nitrates – From fertilizers or runoff, posing risks for infants and pregnant women.
Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) – Chemical compounds formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter.
Sediment and Turbidity – Cloudy or gritty water from aging pipes or well draw.
Sulfur – Rotten egg smell from hydrogen sulfide or bacteria in wells.
Arsenic - Naturally occurring element that can dissolve into groundwater as water passes through rocks and soil.
Why Testing Matters More Than Guessing
Every filter, every softener, every water treatment system starts with one thing: knowing what’s actually in your water.
Testing takes the guesswork out of it. It helps us design the right system, not a one-size-fits-all solution from a big-box store, but a treatment plan built for your family, your plumbing, and your exact water chemistry.
For Houston homeowners, that precision matters.When it comes to water, the difference between “fine” and “fantastic” can be as small as a few parts per million.
The Environmental ProTech Difference
There are a lot of companies that install water systems. But few that understand water the way we do.
Environmental ProTech has been Houston’s local water expert for over 30 years — family owned, deeply rooted in the community, and committed to one thing: helping people love their water again.
Free, professional water testing in your home, on your schedule.
Custom-designed systems for Houston water, not generic equipment from out of state.
Certified technicians who treat your home like their own.
Long-term protection for your appliances, health, and peace of mind.
We are not for everyone.
We don’t pressure or sell.
We have one goal and that’s to educate Houston Homeowners on their water and the solution that will work for their family.
We aren’t the cheapest or the most expensive.
We won’t sell you something you don’t need and we won’t pretend a system will do something that it does not do.
We’ll give you clear answers from the start and make sure you know exactly what your system will need for maintenance.
When you work with us, you become part of the family!
Our reviews speak for themselves! If you want clean water from your faucet, contact us at 281-495-4420 to schedule your water test today.
Continue reading about the chemicals in Houston’s water here: What you need to know about: CHLORAMINES