Where Does Lubbock’s Tap Water Come From?

Ever take a sip from your kitchen sink and think, "Where the heck does this even come from?"

No? Just me? Well, I bet you're at least wondering a little bit now, or you wouldn't have clicked on this...

Lubbock actually gets its water from a few different sources, and the story is kind of interesting.

Buckle up. Let's get into it...

Where Does My Tap Water Come From in Lubbock?

person opening faucet

According to the City of Lubbock's most recent Water Quality Report, 61% of our city's water comes from groundwater, and that groundwater comes from one of the most important underground water sources available on the South Plains: The Ogallala Aquifer. It's a massive underground aquifer of groundwater, sitting beneath the Great Plains.

Our groundwater in Lubbock comes from the Roberts County Well Field and the Bailey County Well Field.

Some of the water coming out of your faucet has spent a very long time underground, which is kind of crazy to think about.

What About Lake Alan Henry?

water bubbles in blue water

The remaining 39% of Lubbock's water supply comes from surface water, mainly from Lake Alan Henry and Lake Meredith.

The City of Lubbock actually built Lake Alan Henry in the 90s to secure another major water source for our growing city. It's about 65 miles southeast of Lubbock in Garza County.

BUT the water doesn't make a 65-mile road trip to your faucet.

There's a pipeline system that moves raw water from the lake to the city. When it gets here, it's treated at the South Water Treatment Plant before it's distributed through our pipelines and onto your toothbrush.

Lake Meredith takes a slightly different route. Water from there is treated at the North Water Treatment Plant along with Roberts County Field water before it makes it to your house.

Read More: 5 Lubbock Places That Feel Like You Accidentally Left Lubbock

Wait, I'm Confused...So, What's Actually Coming Out of My Faucet?

stainless steel faucet on white ceramic sink

It's a mixed batch of groundwater and surface water.

The City of Lubbock decided to diversify water sources rather than getting it from a single source and has developed a 100-year water supply plan. We won't be running out anytime soon.

The next time you grab a glass of water from the tap, remember that it may have started hundreds of feet underground in the Ogallala Aquifer, or it may have traveled more than 60 miles to get to you...and somehow, it's still WAY less expensive than a bottle of Ozarka.