Is my tap water safe to drink?

By the standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Austin’s drinking water is deemed safe for consumption. However, if you’re like some Austin residents on Reddit, you may be fine just drinking it chilled from the fridge to make your water taste alright.

If you’re seeking the best-tasting tap water in your home, a home reverse osmosis system (RO) can be an ideal solution. Reverse osmosis effectively removes various contaminants from the water, including chlorine, salt, PFAS, and dissolved solids such as arsenic and fluoride, by passing it through an RO membrane. Additionally, RO systems incorporate sediment and carbon filtration stages to address a wide range of contaminants.

Some of the contaminants removed by reverse osmosis include:

• Fluoride
• Salt
• Sediment
• Chlorine
• Arsenic
• VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
• PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
• Microplastics
• Herbicides and pesticides
• Heavy metals
• Many other contaminants

The effectiveness of RO systems in removing these contaminants is due to the multi-stage filtration process they employ. Here’s how it works:

1. Prefiltration: The water initially undergoes prefiltration, which typically includes a carbon filter and a sediment filter. This stage removes sediment and chlorine, preventing potential clogging or damage to the RO membrane.
2. Reverse Osmosis Membrane: The water is then passed through the RO membrane, which removes even microscopic dissolved particles.
3. Storage Tank: The filtered water is stored in a tank until it is needed. The RO system continues to filter water until the storage tank is full and then automatically shuts off.
4. Postfiltration: When you turn on your drinking water faucet, the water flows from the storage tank through another postfilter, which further refines the drinking water before it reaches your faucet.

In summary, while Austin’s tap water meets safety standards, homeowners seeking the highest water quality and taste often opt for a home reverse osmosis system to remove a wide range of contaminants and enhance the flavor of their drinking water.