Kay Millerick, associate professor of environmental engineering at Texas Tech University, teaches a class revolving around water.
One of the first things she asks her students is if they noticed anything different about the water following their move to Lubbock.
“Inevitably, the western half of the state has no problem with Lubbock water, and the eastern half does because it's so different from what they're used to,” Millerick said.
Lubbock's water taste can be attributed to the fact that it is hard water. Hard water is characterized by its high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, each coming from natural sources.
From natural sources, Lubbock’s tap water has also been found to have high levels of arsenic.
According to the Environmental Working Group’s tap water database, the county’s water contains 573 times their health recommendation.
According to the EPA, arsenic in drinking water can cause many adverse health effects, including cancer.
Amrika Deonarine, an environmental engineer specializing in arsenic, said arsenic exposure has been linked to cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline, but has not yet been proven to be a cause.
But even knowing the effects, not everyone is convinced Lubbock has a water issue.
Deonarine said she is skeptical about following the EWG guidelines without being able to see the data EWG bases the guidelines on.
Deonarine said the EPA carefully examines data then decides the best restrictions for contaminants.
“Trust the numbers,” she said. “Always trust the numbers and try to understand the numbers.”
Deoarine said that since the EPA uses data to carefully construct legal limits, there should not be an issue with the limits presented.
Environmental soil ecologist, Matthew Siebecker, said those using Lubbock city water have nothing to worry about; the real issue is for those who are on well water.
After testing a water filter just North of Lubbock, Siebecker found several-hundred parts per million of solid arsenic on the filters, the equivalent of one drop in 10 gallons of water, making the arsenic content of the water filter several-hundred thousand parts per billion.
EPA holds a legal limit of 10 parts per billion, the equivalent of one drop in a swimming pool.
About 70% of Lubbock’s water comes from the Ogallala Aquifer.
The aquifer covers an area of 174,000 square miles, reaching from as far north as South Dakota to the southern state of Texas, providing water to eight states in the midwest.
An aquifer is a layer of rock that is able to hold a significant amount of water below ground. Pockets of various sizes help the rock to serve as a sponge for groundwater.
Within its boundaries, the aquifer supplies water to 82% of the people who call the area home with 30% of the nation's irrigation systems pulling from it.
According to the City of Lubbock water quality report, following the transportation of water from the aquifer, it is disinfected then aerated to release gasses.
Coagulants, or chemicals that cause particles to stick together, are added to the water and then it is gently mixed to cause larger particles to be created and settle to the bottom of the tanks as sediment.
The water is then filtered through layers of coal, sand and gravel to remove particles that still remain in the water before a second disinfection and distribution to the homes and businesses of Lubbock.
Though Lubbock has a lengthy process of making sure water is within the legal limits and safe from contaminants, people who are on private well water are exempt from the process.
“People on well water need and should get it tested for heavy metals and replace their filters very regularly,” Siebecker said.
EPA is reconsidering the legal limit which may result in a decrease of arsenic allowed. In other countries in Europe, the legal limit is already pushed down as low as one part per billion.
Deonarine said she does not know what the limit will be set at or if it will be dropped by much at all, since not only is health but realistic standards are taken into account.
Millerick said even if the EPA changes the legal limit, it will not help those who are on well water; since the wells are on private residences, there can be no way to ensure property owners are testing their water.
If you are looking for a place to test your water, Culligan Water of Lubbock offers free water testing and filtration systems for residential use.