Water softener installation in Houston, TX: what's really in your water
Lake water, chloramine and seasonal taste changes.
About 86% of Houston's water comes from lakes, and it's disinfected with chloramine. That means moderate hardness, a steady pool taste and seasonal changes. Here's what fixes it.
- Licensed Houston plumbers
- Flat prices
- 30-day money-back guarantee
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You're probably on this page because:
- Your water smells fishy or earthy at certain times of year
- Your shower smells like a pool
- Your glasses come out spotty
That's Houston lake water. Here's the fix.
What hard water looks like
Crusty shower head. White buildup clogs the spray.
Faucet scale. Comes right back after you scrub.
Cloudy glasses. Even right out of the dishwasher.
Hard water stains on glass. That foggy film that won't wipe off.
See 2 or more? Your water is hard.
What Houston's water shows
- About 86% of Houston's water comes from surface water.
- About 5.6 grains per gallon: moderately hard.
- 9,400 calls about water issues after the 2021 freeze.
Sources: Houston Public Works; TapWaterData; ABC13.
Houston runs on lake water
Most of Houston's water comes from Lake Livingston on the Trinity River, plus Lake Houston and Lake Conroe on the San Jacinto. Houston leans on surface water partly to reduce land sinking from groundwater pumping.
Surface water is disinfected with chloramine, chlorine plus ammonia. Groundwater gets plain chlorine. Where the two blend in the pipes, mostly on the west side, residents sometimes notice odd smells. (KHOU)
Lake water also changes with the weather. When sunlight warms the lakes, algae can give the water an earthy or fishy taste.
After the 2021 freeze
After the February 2021 winter storm knocked out power and water, Houston Public Works fielded about 9,400 calls about water issues, including dirty and smelly water, while it raised disinfectant levels to recover. (ABC13)
The city said the water was safe, and the smell faded as levels went back to normal. But it's a good example of how much Houston water can change.
For most Houston homes, the biggest daily difference comes from catalytic carbon for the chloramine and seasonal taste, plus a softener for the moderate hardness. That's the City Water System.
Best setup for Houston homes
- City Water System: $2,950 installed. Softener for hardness, carbon for the disinfectant, RO for drinking water
Life with it vs. without
| Without it | With it |
|---|---|
| Spots, scale or that pool taste | Clean, soft-feeling water |
| Guessing what you need | A system matched to Houston water |
How we work, start to finish
- 1
You reach out or book online
- 2
A rep calls you, usually within 5 minutes, to confirm your system and answer questions
- 3
We schedule a licensed local plumber, usually within a week
- 4
Install day: a few hours, plus a before-and-after water test
- 5
After that: new filters every 6 months if you subscribe
Water advice built on local data
20+ years in water, and every city page starts from that city's own water reports.
- 20+ years in water
- Our own patents
- We supply other water companies
- [Thousands] of systems sold
- Licensed installers
Written by [Name], [title], [20+] years in water treatment. Reviewed by [Licensed plumber name], license # [#]. Last updated [date]. Sources: listed under each "By the numbers" block and linked in the copy
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Questions people ask
How hard is Houston water?
About 5.6 grains, moderately hard.
Does Houston use chloramine?
For surface water, yes. Groundwater uses chlorine.
Why does Houston water taste earthy sometimes?
Algae in the source lakes in warm weather.
Do I need a softener in Houston?
Many homes benefit, especially with the carbon for chloramine.
Where does Houston water come from?
Mostly Lake Livingston, Lake Houston and Lake Conroe.
Which areas do you serve?
[List areas.]