The region of McAllen – Corpus Christi – Laredo sits on the western shores of the Gulf of Mexico in South Texas. Its earliest residents likely arrived 12,000 years ago. Back then, abundant rainfall sprouted rich prairies and forests feeding herds of deer and buffalo. Flowing springs in Texas provided a hidden water source. Although surrounded by water, today, the semi-arid region struggles with supplying an adequate water supply. Mexicans named the drought prone area El Desierto de los Muertos, or Desert of the Dead. Congress established the National Estuary Program (NEP) through the federal Water Quality Act of 1987. Government agents, scientists, and industry leaders joined forces to combat freshwater inflow problems and increase access to water supply from the San Antonio, Mission, Aransas, and Nueces rivers.

Similar to other Texas cities, the McAllen – Corpus Christi – Laredo region struggles with hard water issues. Rock formations break down and dissolve minerals into local water sources such as rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. The region also suffers from droughts and may limit irrigation or sprinklers to residents.  The Atascosa and Nueces River supply water to Lake Corpus Christi, and the Frio River and San Miguel River supply water to Choke Canyon Reservoir. The O.N. Stevens Water Treatment Plant treats these water sources.  According to a recent Corpus Christi water quality report, as water travels over land, naturally occurring minerals and even radioactive material can dissolve into the water. Corpus Christi water sources may contain a parasite called Cryptosporidium. Although its treatment facility treats water for this parasite, it cannot guarantee complete removal.

The McAllen water quality report discovered 35 total contaminants, exceeding EWG health guidelines by 15. The EWG also detected 31 contaminants in Laredo tap water, according to a report, exceeding recommended guidelines by 14.  To receive fresh drinking water free of contaminants, Quench offers the best bottleless dispensers in McAllen – Corpus Christi – Laredo. Not only do these systems purify the existing water supply, they also help protect the environment and reduce plastic waste by supplying McAllen – Corpus Christi – Laredo bottleless coolers.