Residents of Austin’s Colony, a neighborhood in far East Austin, are grappling with ongoing water quality issues that have left their taps running brown and their wallets significantly lighter. Since moving to the area two years ago, Tyler Croft has faced a series of frustrating water-related problems, starting with a dishwasher that leaves dishes coated in white residue and a water supply that tastes chalky and bitter. The situation culminated when he turned on the tap to find brown water flowing out.
In response to the alarming water quality, Croft invested approximately $5,000 in various water filtration and softening systems, including a unit under the kitchen sink and filters for the showerheads. Despite these efforts, he continues to contend with high water bills, having spent over $221 in February, of which less than $40 was for the actual water consumed.
The challenges faced by Croft and his neighbors are symptomatic of a larger issue in the Austin’s Colony area, which is served by Texas Water Utilities (TWU), a for-profit company rather than Austin Water. This arrangement has led to complaints about water quality, high bills, and damaged appliances among residents for decades.
Before any water flows from the tap, residents pay a base fee of $59.39 for water service—over seven times higher than the base fee charged by Austin Water. Sewer services add another $79.19 to their bills. The ongoing dissatisfaction has prompted some residents to take action, including the installation of a prominent sign near the neighborhood entrance urging potential homebuyers to inquire about the water quality before making a purchase.
Richard Hilaman, who recently moved to the neighborhood, expressed regret for not being aware of these issues beforehand. His dishwasher has become an unused drying rack, as washing dishes results in unsatisfactory cleanliness. He noted that his landlord has had to replace multiple hot water heaters due to the poor water quality.
Further down the street, Lin Ling relies on large blue jugs for drinking water, avoiding the tap altogether after discovering discolored substances in it. Residents attribute the hard water problems to a local well and an aquifer, which are high in minerals like magnesium and calcium that can lead to plumbing failures and ruined appliances.
Despite the longstanding nature of these issues, hard water is not regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as it poses no known health risks. TWU reported that its water hardness levels were measured at an average of 260 milligrams per liter in its latest report, which classifies it as moderately hard water. However, the utility claims to have made improvements, citing a new average hardness level of 50 milligrams per liter from recent samples.
Some residents, like Richard Franklin, remain skeptical of TWU’s claims. Franklin recounted a recent experience when brown water filled his bathtub, and he noted the numerous times he has replaced appliances due to the water’s corrosive effects. He expressed frustration over rising water bills, which now often include additional charges for system improvements, despite minimal water usage costs.
Franklin and Croft, among others, have formally protested the added system improvement charges to the Public Utility Commission of Texas, but the process has proven to be lengthy and challenging. In an effort to raise awareness about their plight, Franklin erected the sign warning prospective homebuyers, hoping to pressure developers to address the situation. While he has not seen immediate results, the response from local authorities suggests the sign is making an impact.
Determined to continue the fight for better water quality and transparency, Franklin is planning to replace the sign with an even larger one, signaling that the residents of Austin’s Colony will not back down easily in their quest for improved living conditions.
