Call 682-284-0966 to schedule.
Texas Master Plumber License #M-17697. Serving Plano since 1990.
What’s Actually in Plano Tap Water
Plano’s municipal water comes primarily from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), drawing from Lake Lavon, Lake Tawakoni, and Lake Texoma. The water meets all federal safety standards. But “meets federal standards” doesn’t mean it’s optimal for your plumbing, appliances, or daily comfort.
Hardness: 15–20 grains per gallon (moderately hard) — 2–3 times the national average. Builds scale on faucets, showerheads, water heaters, and dishwashers. Reduces soap effectiveness. Cuts water heater lifespan by 30–40%.
Chlorine and chloramine: Used by NTMWD as the primary disinfectant. Affects taste and smell. Hard on rubber seals in appliances over time.
TDS: 200–400 ppm: Drinkable, but noticeable on taste tests against filtered water.
PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”): Detected in NTMWD source water under EPA UCMR 5 monitoring. EPA’s finalized limits take effect with full utility compliance required by 2029.
When You Should Have Your Water Tested
- Before installing a water softener: Sizing a softener correctly requires knowing your actual hardness — not the city average, but your tap.
- After buying a home: Testing tells you the baseline before you start making decisions.
- When you notice symptoms: White scale buildup, cloudy glassware, dry skin after showers, soap that won’t lather, rust-colored water, higher energy bills.
- Before major equipment upgrades: Water chemistry affects equipment life.
What Our In-Home Water Test Measures
| Parameter | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Hardness (GPG) | Drives water softener sizing and confirms scaling risk |
| pH | Affects pipe corrosion rates and treatment system effectiveness |
| Iron (ppm) | Source of staining and taste issues; indicates pipe condition |
| Chlorine / chloramine | Baseline for filtration system sizing |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | Overall mineral content; baseline for RO performance |
| Water pressure (PSI) | Diagnostic for fixture wear and PRV operation |
What Affects Water Treatment Cost
What affects the cost of water testing and treatment:
- What we test for: hardness, pH, iron, chlorine, TDS, pressure, or a wider panel
- Type of system: softener, reverse osmosis, whole-home filtration, or a pressure-reducing valve
- System size: household size and water use
- Install location: loop availability, drain access, and electrical near the install spot
We look at your home and give you upfront written pricing before work starts. Financing available.
Service Area for Water Testing
Plano, Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Richardson, Murphy, Wylie, Sachse, Lucas, Parker, Fairview, The Colony, Prosper, Celina, Garland, Carrollton, Rockwall, and East Dallas.