Austin, Texas water solutions

Austin has safe drinking water. Drawn from Lake Travis and Lake Austin, the water is treated to remove contaminants in compliance with regulatory guidelines. Water is tested daily at the city’s three water treatment plants and in more than 300 samples taken monthly throughout the distribution system. There are little to no detectable levels of manmade per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the local water supply, according to Austin Water’s Quality Report.

While it’s fine to drink Austin tap water, water dispensers and ice machines are a convenient option in the workplace. Employees can quickly access fresh-tasting cold water and ice, which many staff members appreciate during hot Texas summers.

Austin’s water is considered moderately hard, with an average of 114 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of calcium carbonate, according to the city’s water quality reports. This is close to the upper threshold of the hardness category, which ranges from 61 to 120 mg/L. Minerals in hard water make it harder to lather soap and can leave limescale buildup in pipes, faucets and appliances.

Water hardness isn’t a health issue, but businesses may want to provide alternatives to plain tap water to enhance the employee experience. Bottleless water coolers, sparkling water dispensers and coffee brewers are considered workplace features.

Algae can bloom in warm waters, including Lake Austin and Lake Travis, giving the lake water a green appearance. Some algae can produce cyanotoxins, which are harmful to human and animal health. Austin Water monitors for these substances in raw lake water, removing toxins during the filtration and disinfection process to ensure your tap water is safe. In rare instances, tap water may be green because of copper pipes in your plumbing system. Contact Austin Water if you have concerns about the color of your water supply.

To provide clean, safe drinking water at your office, use the Culligan Quench product finder to find water coolers that provide advanced filtration of Austin water, hot or cold.