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Highland Park Water Tastes Like Algae: Let’s Fix That
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Every summer, we get dozens of calls from Highland Park residents with a simple complaint: “Why does my water taste so bad all of a sudden?” They’re absolutely right, and there’s a reason for the change in taste: blue-green algal blooms in your source water supply
This annual occurrence isn’t changing anytime soon. Homeowners concerned with water quality can eliminate the bad taste (and the bacteria that causes it) with a whole home water filtration system.
We’re Mother Modern Plumbing, a Dallas plumbing company focused on helpful long-term solutions for the plumbing problems that affect your daily life. Our Master Plumbers and research team built this guide to improve home water quality in Highland Park, Texas.
We also interviewed Martha Jackson, host of Highland Park’s Bubble Lounge Podcast, to see how bad-tasting “summer water” affects local homeowners like you.
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Algal Blooms Make Highland Park, TX Water “Taste Like Dirt”
Summer algal blooms create toxins that gives your water a musty taste. Some homeowners say the water tastes like dirt, others complain they’re “drinking hose water”.
“This is something I hear every year once the temperatures spike — people start saying their water tastes strange,” says Martha Jackson. “We know it’s due to an algae bloom in the raw water supply, but that doesn’t make it any easier to drink.”
Starting at the source: algal bloom in your source water
Highland Park gets its water from the Dallas County Park Cities Municipal Utilities District (MUD). MUD sources its raw water supply from Grapevine Lake via the Elm Fork of the Trinity River.
Grapevine Lake experiences algal blooms most summers as the temperature hits triple digits. This blue-green algae (also called cyanobacteria) is considered harmful and toxic by the EPA.
The issue is made worse by an increase in algal blooms along the Elm Fork of Trinity River. Since 2002, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has tracked excessive algae growth in the Elm Fork, downstream from Lewisville Lake.
This area of the Trinity River flows into Grapevine Lake, adding to the harmful blue-green algae levels in your source water.
Health Risks of Blue-Green Algae in Your Water
It’s difficult to visually tell the difference between green algae and the harmful blue-green variety. But while green algae is generally harmless to your system, you shouldn’t drink or swim in water with blue-green algae.
The CDC published an eye-popping list of symptoms, illnesses and diseases caused by contacting or ingesting harmful blue-green algae in fresh water.
Skin conditions
- Rash
- Eye irritation
- Nose irritation
- Itching
Ear, nose and throat conditions
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Persistent cough
Internal health conditions
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Acute stomach pain
- Muscle weakness
- Liver damage
Long-term exposure to blue-green algae in water can result in nervous system damage.
Worried about water quality in Highland Park? Schedule a comprehensive in-home water quality test and restore your peace of mind.
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Highland Park, TX Residents Avoid “Summer Water”
Martha tells us that foul-tasting water in hot months (which some locals call “summer water”) is a very real thing. The hotter it gets, the worse your water tastes.
“Whether people describe it as drinking ‘lake water’, ‘dirt’, or ‘old garden hose’, it’s definitely something my neighbors talk about,” she explains.
It’s not just the taste that turns local residents off; they also dislike the smell.
“When you're filling up a glass or running the tap for a while — there’s often a strong ‘creek water’ smell,” Martha continues. “Those of us who’ve lived here a while have come to expect it during the dog days of summer.”
Residents are turning off the faucets to protect their kids and pets
A major area of concern for Highland Park homeowners is the health and safety of their children. Area parents take no risks with drinking water during July and August- even when the city conducts rigorous testing.
“Even though the city tests the water multiple times a day and assures us it’s safe,” Martha says, “some parents just feel more comfortable giving their kids and pets bottled or filtered water. It’s more about peace of mind than panic — we trust our city, but the weird taste makes people cautious.”
Water quality is also a source of concern for local pet owners
“I’ve even had friends say their dogs seemed sick after drinking tap water, so they’ve started serving bottled water just to be safe,” Martha tells us.
3-Step Solution to Improve Water Quality in Highland Park, TX
You’re smart to avoid drinking water contaminated by cyanotoxins and blue-green algae. But you shouldn’t have to. The steps that Highland Park homeowners go through to avoid using unfiltered tap water are an inconvenient hassle.
“In our house, we definitely use a fridge filter for drinking water,” Martha explains. “Some even stock up on bottled water during the summer months — not just for drinking, but for coffee, pet bowls, and even cooking. It’s just one of those summer rituals around here — sunscreen, mosquito spray, and filtered water!”
As a Dallas plumbing company focused on modern, long-term solutions, we think you deserve better. Clean tap water year-round isn’t a luxury- and we’ll help you achieve it.
Our Master Plumbers used the latest local algal bloom data and Highland Park, TX Water Quality report to create a 3-step guide for residents to clean up their tap water for good:
- Schedule a fast, in-home water quality inspection.
- Consider installing a whole home water filtration system.
- Create a home water filter maintenance plan.
Step 1: Schedule an in-home water quality inspection
Start your journey to clean tap water with a comprehensive in-home water quality inspection.
Our experts test your tap water from the water service line to your faucets. We go beyond lead and pH testing to determine the presence of bacteria, pesticides, viruses and cyanotoxins from algae in your home’s water.
By establishing a baseline for your current water quality, our plumbers make informed recommendations on the next steps and solutions that suit your individual plumbing system.
Want a free water quality test? Install a whole home water filtration system, and Mother provides your water quality inspection free of charge!
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Step 2: Install a whole home water filtration system
Proactive homeowners in Highland Park, TX use whole home water filters to clean incoming city water before it even enters their home.
“I know several neighbors who’ve installed whole-home filtration systems,” Martha says.
Your water is treated at the connection between your main water line and your in-home fresh water pipes. This means more than just clean drinking water:
- Shower: Hard water causes flaky skin and brittle hair. Filtered water keeps hard minerals and bacteria off your faucets and off your body.
- Laundry: Keep viruses, bacteria and toxins out of your washing machine, and eliminate hard water stains and fading clothes.
- Dishwasher: No one wants contaminated water touching their dishes. Filtered water means the ultimate clean for your glassware and plates.
- Water heater: Eliminate mineral deposits and scaling to improve the overall efficiency and hot water delivery of your home’s water heater.
Our plumbers trust WaterTech products. Read how we chose the best whole home water filter for most homeowners, and why we’re certified WaterTech installers.
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Step 3: Create a home water filter maintenance plan
Talk to your trusted plumber about your newly installed home water filtration system. Create an informed maintenance plan to ensure optimal performance and pristine water delivery for decades to come.
Go over your timeline and specific needs for these factors:
- Filter types: Each brand and model of whole home water filter has unique onboard filters. Replace these filters every 6-12 months as advised by the manufacturer and your plumbing experts.
- Water quality: Highland Park has a tough combination of hard water and summer algal bloom concerns. Your plumber may recommend changing filters more frequently.
- Water consumption: A family of six has far greater daily water usage than a family of three. The amount of water used impacts the frequency of maintenance.
Here are some general suggestions for filter and cartridge changes in the Dallas, TX region:
- General: Check every 6 months, replace every 6-12 months
- Pre-sediment filter: Change every 3-5 months
- Post-filter: Change every 8-10 months.
7 Added Benefits of Whole Home Water Filtration
Install a new whole home water filtration system, and you’ll do more than just get cyanotoxins, bad tastes and smells out of your water. You’ll protect your family from a host of other metals, chemicals and harmful organisms.
Besides blue-green algae, expect your filter to remove these 7 contaminants from your tap water:
- Lead
- PFAs (“forever chemicals”)
- Hard minerals
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
- Heavy metals
The best home water filters for Highland Park, TX homes
Mother is a certified installer of WaterTech water filtration systems. WaterTech has been in business for over 30 years, led by WQA trained water technicians and experts. We like the simple, whole home protection of their Infinity line of home water filters.
Our local plumbers have the background and expertise to handle your installation quickly, safely and on budget.
Benefit from the best home water filter warranty offers in the DFW Metroplex. We offer dedicated warranties on water filtration products and workmanship.
Call Mother in Highland Park, TX for Clean Drinking Water
“Summer water” in Highland Park doesn’t just smell and taste bad; it contains harmful blue-green algae that’s dangerous for your family’s health.
Install a whole home water filtration system, and enjoy pure, clean tap water throughout your home all year. You’ll stop using cases (and cases) of bottled water in hot months, and improve the function of your home’s water-using appliances.
Our team brings a century of combined Dallas plumbing expertise to every project. Trust us for considerate. We match smart technology and highly-skilled technicians to offer a modern, hassle-free experience.
Call Mother 7 days a week for hassle-free inspections and whole home water filter installation. Give your Highland Park, TX home the clean water you deserve for decades to come.
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