An Overview of La Marque Water Quality & Service
Gain a better understanding of the La Marque water system. This overview details the journey of your water and provides essential resources for customers.
Understanding the journey of La Marque’s tap water, from its source to the faucet, is a matter of interest for many households. This overview serves as a guide to the city’s water system, addressing its origins, quality, and the management of services.
La Marque’s Water Source
The water supply for the City of La Marque originates from two distinct sources. Approximately 95 percent is surface water purchased from the Gulf Coast Water Authority (GCWA). The GCWA manages a system that draws water from the Brazos River, treating it and transporting it to municipal customers in the region, including La Marque.
The remaining 5 percent of La Marque’s water comes from local groundwater sources. This groundwater is drawn from wells that tap into the Gulf Coast Aquifer. This dual-source approach provides resilience to the city’s water supply system, as the city can rely more heavily on its groundwater wells if the primary source is temporarily unavailable.
Understanding Water Quality
Every public water system must provide customers with an annual water quality report, often called a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). This document details the water’s source and contents. La Marque residents can find this report on the city’s official website or request a copy from the utility department. The report shows the results of regular testing, ensuring the water meets standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
The CCR offers specific data on water quality parameters. For disinfection, La Marque uses chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, to kill bacteria and viruses as water travels through pipes. The report shows the levels of disinfectants detected, which are kept within a safe range, and includes information on lead and copper levels, which are primarily a concern from household plumbing.
The report also provides data on substances that affect the aesthetic qualities of water, such as hardness. Water hardness is determined by the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium. While not a safety issue, hard water can affect soap’s ability to lather and may lead to mineral buildup on fixtures. The pH level is another parameter often included, indicating the water’s acidity or alkalinity.
Managing Your Water Service
The City of La Marque provides several methods for residents to pay their monthly water bills. Customers can make payments online through the city’s official portal, by mail to the address listed on the bill, or in person at the utility billing office located at City Hall. An after-hours drop box is also available for submitting payments.
For assistance with billing inquiries or to start or stop water service when moving, residents should contact the Utility Billing Department. The department’s phone number and office hours are available on the city’s website and on monthly statements. When reporting a service issue, it is helpful to provide your account information and a clear description of the problem for a prompt response.
In the event of a water-related emergency, such as a suspected water main break, a leak, or a service outage, a dedicated after-hours contact number is provided. These issues are handled by the Public Works Department, which is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the water distribution system. Reporting these problems quickly allows crews to address the situation and restore service.