Tap Water? (Austin, Spring, Pflugerville: buying, live, price)

[Runemaster]

When we lived in Phoenix, the stuff that comes out of the faucet was affectionately referred to as "liquid rock" and essentially undrinkable, unless you're fond of stomach aches.

Now we're in Minnesota and the tap water tastes better than bottled water.

So, what can we expect when we get to Austin? Is the tap water drinkable or only for those with a cast iron gut? Are we going back to four cases of spring water a month?

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Runemaster

When we lived in Phoenix, the stuff that comes out of the faucet was affectionately referred to as "liquid rock" and essentially undrinkable, unless you're fond of stomach aches.

Now we're in Minnesota and the tap water tastes better than bottled water.

So, what can we expect when we get to Austin? Is the tap water drinkable or only for those with a cast iron gut? Are we going back to four cases of spring water a month?

Water quality is generally fine. Some areas of town have water that smells and tastes a little muddy. We always use a water filter.

[centralaustinite]

The water quality is good but it is surface lake water and can taste muddy at times depending on the time of year, lake conditions, etc. We get our drinking water from the fridge where it runs through a filter.

NYC tap water is the gold standard for water taste!

[HappyTexan]

I agree with centralaustinite..NYC water cannot be beat.

I use bottled water for drinking, tea and coffee. A glass of water has to be crystal clear for me.
RR, Pflugerville, Manville water and none gave me a crystal clear glass of water out of the tap.

[jread]

I haven't bought bottled water since I moved to Austin. The tap water here is the best I have ever had. I've heard that the northern suburbs do not have as good of water quality, though (I think it's from a different source as well).

[TopSecretAdam]

Dripping Springs to the south is GOOD TO GO! It has a higher calcium content then I would like but it's great.

[Runemaster]

I'm not sure I want to drink "muddy" tasting water. But, I know if I asked this question in a lot of other areas I'd get "Are you crazy? Never drink the water here" so I'm encouraged that we won't need to spend money on bottled water.

Thanks for the info.

[twange]

Originally Posted by Runemaster

I'm not sure I want to drink "muddy" tasting water. But, I know if I asked this question in a lot of other areas I'd get "Are you crazy? Never drink the water here" so I'm encouraged that we won't need to spend money on bottled water.

Thanks for the info.

I've noticed that if you let the water sit for a few minutes, it isn't as strong. Can someone else confirm this? And why? We drink a lot of carbonated mineral water but also tap. I definitely prefer it when it's filtered.

Also I think it's more of a smell than a taste...of course they are related so maybe I'm full of sh*t

[tongpa-nyi]

Originally Posted by twange

I've noticed that if you let the water sit for a few minutes, it isn't as strong. Can someone else confirm this? And why?

If the main thing you're tasting is chlorine then the reason for it tasting better after it sits a while is that chlorine evaporates faster than water.

I don't think the tap water tastes very good unfiltered but I drink it anyway. Once you get used to it, it's really not all that bad. The best way to get good drinking water is obviously to install a filter and avoid buying overpriced, environmentally reckless bottled water. Most of that stuff is just tap water in a bottle anyway.

The OP mentions Minnesota. I cannot fathom the water here tasting as good as it does there. So, dear OP/reader, be forewarned. It's not the worst water but it ain't Minnesota.

[intmd8r]

Yeah, the water here is really good, there's no question, and I would also doubt it would be as good. But we're hoping that it's also much better than Phoenix, where we spent the last 10 years. Yuck!!

One thing I've found is that tap water tastes better really cold. So if you just fill up a jug and throw it in the fridge, you're going to improve the taste of the water.