EPWater is celebrating National Water Quality month this August by reminding customers about the high-quality water that is delivered to their taps every day.
El Paso Water’s mission to deliver a sustainable water supply and the highest quality water is a mission the utility takes seriously. In that spirit, EPWater has dedicated teams working around the clock regularly testing water at every step along the way — from our wells to our treatment plants and everywhere in between.
The real magic takes place at EPWater’s International Water Quality Laboratory. Testing ensures that water meets or goes beyond compliance with state and federal standards. These tests detect substances at the parts-per-trillion level and include metals, microbiological components, water quality compounds and organic substances.
"We often talk about our leadership in water supply innovations, but just as essential – if not more so – is the work we do to guarantee the health and safety of our water supply," President and CEO John Balliew said. "When people tour this facility and see first-hand this modern laboratory, it builds tremendous confidence in what we do."
“I only drink tap water because I know it’s safe to drink,” says Teresa Alcala, Manager of EPWater’s International Water Quality Laboratory. “We actively monitor water quality and collect 45,000 samples from treatment plants throughout the El Paso region and perform more than 370,000 tests annually.”
EPWater is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which holds utilities across the state accountable for meeting EPA safety thresholds for metals, microbiological components, and other substances in tap water. The utility makes every effort to meet and even go beyond these standards.
Trust Your Tap and beware of filtration systems
El Paso Water customers may receive notices recently from companies urging them to call a number regarding their water quality which is usually veiled as a pitch to purchase a home filtration system.
“Our tap water is safe to drink and has essential minerals,” Alcala said. “Some home filtration systems may result in drinking water that is stripped of those minerals in addition to higher sodium and pH levels.”
Dr. Kristina Mena, Dean of the El Paso Campus for the University of Texas – Houston School of Public Health, specializes in microbial risk assessment. She says EPWater treatment plants are already providing the most optimal public health safeguards while filtration systems come with risks.
Customers can call 915-594-5733 to ask questions about their water or visit our Water Quality page for information and videos.