Is Irving, TX Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Irving tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 4.25 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water.
Hardness Scale: Where Irving Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Irving Compares
Irving's water is 32% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 57% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Texas, it ranks #69 of 76 cities (50% below the state average of 189 PPM). Among large cities (200k-500k), Irving ranks #91 of 165 for hardness.
What Irving's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 94 PPM - Low Concern
Irving's water is moderately hard at 94 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Irving has PFOA at 4.25 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Irving's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 16.6 ppb (21% of the legal limit, but 110x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 15.5 ppb (26% of the legal limit, but 155x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.32 ppb, which is 16x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 94 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 204 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 44.71 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 4.25 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 4 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 1 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.8 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 1.07 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Irving Homes
Recommended Filter for Irving
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 4.25 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.8 mg/L chlorine, many Irving residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Irving
With PFAS at 44.71 ppt in Irving's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request City of Irving's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Irving's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Irving
Water Source: Dallas Water Utilities (Surface Water)
Population Served: 264,546
Hardness: 94 PPM (5.5 grains per gallon)
Irving's drinking water comes from surface sources — Dallas Water Utilities. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 265,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Irving's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Irving in Irving, TX, including ZIP codes:
75014, 75015, 75016, 75017, 75038, 75039, 75059, 75060, 75061, 75062, 75063, 75064, 76040
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Irving to Other Texas Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Irving Water
Is Irving tap water safe to drink?
Where does Irving's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Irving?
How do I remove PFAS from Irving tap water?
What water filter is best for Irving?
Is Irving water safe for babies and infants?
What is the hardness of Irving water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Irving's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Irving Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 94 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Irving's water data.