5 Dallas Tap Water Contaminants You Need to Know in 2025

Water is the lifeblood of any city, and for Dallas—a sprawling metropolitan area in the heart of Texas, maintaining safe, clean water has become increasingly imporatant as the population continues to grow.

Dallas is a classified as a "Superior" Rated Water System, meeting or exceeding all state and federal mandates for drinking water requirements, as noted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

But, is the water we drink truly as clean as it should be?

According to EWG data from February 2025 , Dallas's water supply 17 contaminants that were found at concentrations beyond their strict health-based limits. Waterdrop's contaminant testing data from October of the same year, Dallas water contains a total of 38 contaminants, with 18 of them already exceeding EWG health guidelines.

To help you learn more, this guide will identify the 5 most common contaminants which can often be found in Dallas water. We’ll also share information on how to deal with each contaminant type.

Waterdrop is committed to providing Dallas families with high-quality, safe, and clean drinking water. We regularly test and assess New York City’s tap water and collaborate with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to keep you updated on local contaminant levels. Simply enter your ZIP code to discover specific pollutants , their potential impacts, and the best ways to protect you and your family.

PFAS chemicals in the water supply affect many cities in the US, including Dallas, which gets its PFAS exposure from industrial emissions, consumer goods, and runoffs from firefighting foam. However, these “forever chemicals” affect the water supply in multiple ways.

First, PFAS do not affect the flavor or smell of the water they contaminate; hence, they pose a silent danger that accumulates over time without any visible indicators.

PFAS exposure can also affect your family’s health in the following ways:

Cancer and immune suppression

EPA's regulations show PFAS to cause different cancers, immunosuppression, and hormonal disruption in the body. Compared with EWG standards, even a low level in the water in Dallas could affect children’s development and pose disease risks.

Thyroid and liver effects

PFAS has been found in research to cause thyroid disease, liver disease, hormonal imbalance, possible connections to premature puberty, and heart disease in humans.

As far as skin injury is concerned, bathing with PFAS-laced water could cause irritation to sensitive skin, leading to dryness or an allergic reaction if exposure is prolonged.

PFAS are notoriously difficult to filter out due to their chemical stability, but several advanced technologies can effectively reduce them. The most reliable household solution is a RO system, which forces water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove PFAS at a very high rate.

Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters are also effective, especially when water is given enough contact time with the carbon.

When choosing a filter, look for NSF/ANSI certifications that specifically list PFAS reduction, ensuring verified performance.

To further prevent exposure, Dallas residents can minimize PFAS-containing products at home, such as nonstick pans or stain-resistant coatings, reducing the likelihood of these chemicals entering indoor water systems.

Agricultural runoff, fertilizer, and wastewater contamination cause nitrate to enter the water supply in Dallas, much of it coming from the city's farming areas. It pollutes the water supply in many ways. High nitrate concentration can cause water to have a bitter or metallic flavor, although in most cases, it is barely detectable in tap water at low levels.

Nitrate exposure can also negatively impact your family’s health, including:

Carcinogenic hazards

EWG analyses estimate nitrate in U.S. water, including Dallas averages exceeding guidelines, contributes to thousands of cancer cases annually, targeting colorectal, ovarian, thyroid, kidney, and bladder cancers.

Infant health threats

“Blue baby syndrome” is caused in children aged under six months, thereby influencing blood oxygen levels, potentially leading to severe development disorders.

Organ strain

Chronic consumption could overwhelm the kidneys and liver, potentially harming adults with existing health issues. It can cause some harm to your skin and hair.

As for skin irritation, although the direct irritation is low, exposure from bathing could cause overall dryness for sensitive skin.

Nitrate cannot be removed using standard carbon filters, so more specialized water treatment methods are necessary. Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective ways to eliminate nitrate from drinking water, making it a preferred solution for families, especially those with infants.

Ion exchange systems, which swap nitrate ions for chloride ions, also provide strong performance and are often used for whole-house treatment. For homeowners using private wells or living near agricultural areas, periodic water testing is crucial to detect seasonal nitrate spikes.

Hexavalent chromium gained national attention through the Erin Brockovich case and is often found near industrial sites, metal plating facilities, and chemical manufacturing plants. It can also leach naturally from certain rock formations into groundwater. It's neither tastable nor aromatic, so it remains in tap water unnoticeably in homes.

Hexavalent chromium exposure can also negatively impact your family’s health, including:

Cancer development

National Toxicology Program studies show chromium-6 is a cause of cancers in multiple body parts, with Dallas levels 14 times higher than EWG protocols for higher stomach and other cancer threats.

Organ Damage

It harms the liver, kidneys, and respiratory system, potentially causing rashes or ulcers from chronic ingestion. It could have an effect on fertility and embryonic development, with its levels correlating with occupational exposure.

Skin Injury

Also, the hexavalent form of chromium can cause harm to your skin and hair. Showering with contaminated water could cause rash, allergy-related dermatitis, and skin drying due to compromised skin barriers.

The most reliable household solution is a RO system, which removes nearly all Chromium-6. Some filters use special resins or reduction media to trap or neutralize the chemical.

Testing your water regularly ensures the system works effectively and detects any changes in contamination. Minimizing household chemical use, such as certain dyes or metal cleaners, can also reduce potential exposure.

Because there is aging infrastructure, corroded pipes, and service lines, lead is getting into the water in Dallas; however, it gets into the water in more ways than one. Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) states that elevated lead levels in drinking water usually do not come from the treatment facility itself, but from plumbing systems.

In higher concentration, lead can cause water to have a metallic taste. It also brings many health issues to people:

Neurological damage

Even low levels affect child brain development, leading to reduced IQs and acting out, with no safe level of exposure according to CDC recommendations.

Cardiovascular effects

In adults, it can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, as well as kidney injury from long-term consumption.

Reproductive complications

It could result in miscarriages, decreased fertility, as well as delayed developments in fetuses.

Lead can also cause harm to your hair and skin. As for skin injury, although ingestion is more dangerous, bathing can lead to mild dryness or irritation if it becomes a long-term problem.

You can significantly reduce lead risk through:

• Installing an NSF 53 or 58 certified filter
• Using RO systems, which remove nearly all dissolved lead
• Running the tap for 30–120 seconds before drinking
• Avoiding the use of hot tap water for cooking or baby formula
• Replacing old plumbing pipes and fixtures

Families living in older Dallas homes should consider lead-specific filtering methods a priority.

Chloramine disinfection in Dallas combines with organic material in source water to produce other disinfection byproducts, such as trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). These byproducts also affect the water supply in multiple ways.

For starters, disinfection byproducts can give water a subtle chemical taste or odour, reducing its palatability for drinking.

Disinfection byproducts exposure can also negatively impact your family’s health, including:

Birth defects

EWG finds that levels in Dallas exceed guidance, with byproducts thought to cause cancers and DNA damage in animal research. Epidemiologic studies have associated TTHMs with an increased risk of cleft palate, cardiac abnormalities, and poor brain development in infants.

Body impairment

Long-term exposure could also impact the liver and kidneys, according to toxicology reports. Another area where disinfecting byproducts can cause harm is in your hair and skin.

Regarding skin injury, bathing removes the natural oils from the skin, leading to dryness, redness, or an aggravation in psoriasis.

Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters can adsorb these chemicals, and a whole-house carbon system reduces exposure during bathing and showering.

For drinking water, reverse osmosis provides additional protection. Letting water flow for a short time before use or storing it in a covered container helps reduce chlorine and some byproducts.

Avoid using hot water for drinking or cooking, as heat can increase DBP formation. Together, careful water use and carbon or RO filtration effectively minimize DBP exposure.

In conclusion, while Dallas tap water is regulated, ongoing contaminants like PFAS and disinfection by-products highlight the need for vigilance. Understanding where these contaminants come from, how they affect your health, and how to minimize exposure is essential for protecting your household.

Waterdrop offers reliable solutions with NSF-certified reverse osmosis and carbon filtration systems to remove these pollutants, ensuring safer, cleaner water for your family—explore our options today for peace of mind.