Table of Contents

1. [Where Houston's Water Actually Comes From](#where-houstons-water-actually-comes-from)

2. [The 14 Contaminants Above Health Guidelines](#the-14-contaminants-above-health-guidelines)

3. [Contaminant-by-Contaminant Breakdown](#contaminant-by-contaminant-breakdown)

4. [Houston vs Other Texas Cities: A Contaminant Comparison](#houston-vs-other-texas-cities)

5. [Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood: Why Your Water Varies by ZIP Code](#neighborhood-by-neighborhood-variation)

6. [Houston's Hardness Problem](#houstons-hardness-problem)

7. [The Good News: PFAS Results](#the-good-news-pfas-results)

8. [What About Lead?](#what-about-lead)

9. [What to Do: Filter Recommendations by Contaminant](#what-to-do-filter-recommendations)

10. [How to Choose a Houston Water Treatment Company](#choosing-a-houston-water-treatment-company)

11. [FAQ: 10 Questions Houston Residents Ask About Their Water](#faq)

12. [Sources](#sources)

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Where Houston's Water Actually Comes From {#where-houstons-water-actually-comes-from}

Understanding Houston's water quality starts with understanding its source \u2014 and this is where the story gets complicated. Unlike cities that draw from a single lake or river, Houston uses a blended water supply that mixes surface water with deep underground aquifers.