Dallas’ water system is of the highest quality, and there have not been large issues in the past. However, with recent issues experienced by other water municipalities, it leads one to wonder whether Dallas, even with its superior water quality and rigorous testing, would face threats to its water quality at some point. Threats like in Flint, Michigan, where underfunded maintenance budgets and aged infrastructure allowed lead to seep into its water supply. Threats like in Austin, Texas, where population increases outpaced existing wastewater treatment capacity, causing it to overflow into its clean water system. Threats like in Hinkley, California, where chemicals used to treat the water were actually toxic to humans. Below are some other risks that could be an issue for Dallas’ water.
Sourced from: https://www.dallascityhall.com/departments/waterutilities/DCH%20Documents/2014_LRWSP_Final_Report_all_11302015.pdf
Image: Dallas’ future budget allotted to projects which will increase the water supply.
Is Dallas Water Utilities’ operating budget sufficient to upgrade the existing infrastructure?
Most of Dallas’ infrastructure is over 30 years old, and despite continuous efforts to maintain, repair, and replace various facilities, it is unclear whether there is sufficient budget or whether the pace of repairs and upgrades is sufficient to stave off future issues.
Is Dallas Water Utilities’ future operating budget enough to maintain future infrastructure?
As Dallas continues to construct more infrastructure, especially as projects like the IPL are being completed, the operating budget must increase to cover new maintenance costs. It is unclear how much the budget is slated to increase.
As climate change continues, what are the effects on the water supply?
As the climate continues to get warmer, evaporation increases, taking water from Dallas’ supply, and as rainfall could potentially decrease, other threats of our current climate to the supply of water remain unclear.
Image: Reservoirs in the greater Dallas area.
Even though the FDA regulates safe levels for certain chemicals, are there certain unknown harmful effects of these chemicals that are used to treat Dallas’ water? What is being done to ensure we continue to regulate the safety of the water above and beyond testing for known harmful chemicals?
Just like more harmful effects are being discovered about forever chemicals, there could be unknown harmful effects of certain chemicals that are used in the Dallas water.
Although the City of Dallas is being planful about its next steps, will there be any other unforeseen events that could put the water supply in jeopardy?
Events like natural disasters, pandemics, and other large events could harm the water supply. Infrastructure could get destroyed in a natural disaster, and people might not be able to work due to a pandemic, putting at risk the ability to source Dallas with a sufficient amount of safe water.
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