What this is
Houston draws water from the Trinity and San Jacinto rivers as well as underground aquifers to supply drinking water to 2.
Houston draws water from the Trinity and San Jacinto rivers as well as underground aquifers to supply drinking water to 2.3 million residents and millions more in the surrounding region. Houston Public Works manages the entire system — from intake and treatment through distribution and wastewater processing.
After the February 2021 winter storm exposed significant vulnerabilities in the system, the city invested hundreds of millions of dollars in improvements and winterization. This guide explains where your water comes from, how it gets treated, and who is responsible for keeping it safe.
Why it matters
This is part of Our Environment — environment, climate, and the land we share.
How to dig in
- 1Start with the snapshot above to know what this is in a glance.
- 2Read through to understand how it connects to the bigger picture.
- 3Get the guide using the button above.
By the numbers
Led byThe Change Lab
Counted from the Community Exchange connection graph.