Resident Stories

Residents who have experienced water quality concerns in Sherwood Shores are invited to share their experiences.

This site is collecting resident reports to help document patterns related to water quality, including chlorine levels, odor, and potential health effects associated with routine water use.

To submit your story, please email us directly with as much detail as you are comfortable sharing.

You may include:

• How long you have lived in the area

• What water-related issues you have noticed

• Any symptoms or concerns you believe may be related

• Dates, frequency, or patterns you have observed

• Photos, water test results, or documentation (optional)

Stories may be submitted anonymously. All submissions are reviewed before being shared publicly.

Email your story to us

Personal contact information will not be published without permission.

RESIDENT STORIES

💦 J. Osborn - "The water hurts my lungs after a hot shower, the water dries out my skin and causes it to crack and bleed. It's damaged the clear coat on my vehicle as well as causing me to have red/dry eyes." 

💦 Rhonda S. - I was told when I bought the place not to drink the water.  I haven't had any problems but neighbors have told me there's, like itchy skin. 

💦 TL. - I'm glad I don't drink the water here; never did for 8 years since being here.

💦 Rose McGrew - I have not been able to cook or drink this water for almost four years years. When it was just regular Chlorine. I could cook shower water my plants and everything was good. Now it's only used to flush the stall and do laundry. The Clothes burn my skin. I have to vent the bathroom window and living room window. It burns my nose, lungs, and dries my mouth and tongue. We have sewer showers. Now I have double filters on showers. I had whole house filter and they said take it off, that was the problem. Now it is laying in front of the garage. What a stinking mess.

💦 JR. - I've had to replace my PVC (Pex) pipes once a year as the water eats through them - That is NOT normal"

💦 JC. - My daugher-in-law has developed diverticulitis and kidney cancer since living in Sherwood Shores.  I personally think it's time for a class action lawsuit.

💦 GR. - We have been told they would fix the lines last year. I wonder now why I barely hit my arm on anything and my skin rips wide open and my hands cracked bleeding. 

💦 JC.. - It's a real shame. I think the water is pretty good until it gets contaminated with all the crud that goes down the pitiful distribution system. This is why they put so much chlorine in it. I have never drunk the water from the tap here. Bottled water only.

💦 Anonymous. - 

"Summary of Chronic Water Exposure and Health Outcomes - Sherwood Shores, Texas – Texas Water Utilities Service Area

Timeline and Exposures

Adult 1 (Primary Residence): In 2012, relocated to Sherwood Shores and consumed tap water daily from Texas Water Utilities. A moderately priced whole-home filtration system was installed; however, water continued to exhibit elevated chlorine levels (persistent taste and odor). In 2022, developed intestinal necrosis and neuroendocrine tumors. These conditions proved fatal. No known history of these conditions prior to drinking the water.

Adult 2 (Separate Residence): In 2014, purchased a home in Sherwood Shores, also served by Texas Water Utilities (formerly SWWC). Visited regularly on weekends over approximately 2.5 years (2014–2016), consuming the water intermittently, using it unfiltered in hot beverages such as coffee regularly. In 2016, hospitalized with a severe pericardial effusion requiring surgery and subsequently diagnosed with multiple autoimmune diseases. No prior history of autoimmune conditions.

Companion Animal: In 2015, a small female companion dog (Snorkie) began consuming tap water from Texas Water Utilities while on weekend stays. In 2017, at nine years of age, diagnosed with kidney disease. The dog received consistent veterinary care and had no known congenital kidney conditions. Died in 2020. Due to lower body mass, companion animals may experience proportionally higher exposure to water contaminants.

Water Quality Characteristics

The water delivered by Texas Water Utilities exhibited persistent strong chlorine taste and odor, with chlorine levels within EPA limits but elevated, and elevated sodium content. Public records indicate the system has experienced boil water notices, including a 2023 incident where a well tested positive for E. coli, water main breaks, and documented violations including Maximum Contaminant Level exceedances for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) - disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter. Research suggests chronic exposure to elevated chlorine and disinfection byproducts may be associated with gastrointestinal, immune, and kidney health concerns.

Visual Demonstration

Two identical towels were used for comparison: one placed under continuously dripping tap water for 24 hours (no detergents or soaps), and one control towel not exposed to water. After 24 hours, the exposed towel showed visible discoloration and residue compared to the unexposed towel, illustrating the chemical intensity of the water supply.

Pattern of Concern

Three separate cases in two households served by Texas Water Utilities: (1) Adult 1—eight years daily exposure, fatal gastrointestinal and systemic illness; (2) Adult 2—2.5 years intermittent exposure, multiple autoimmune diseases; (3) Companion animal—2 years intermittent exposure, terminal kidney disease. While causation cannot be definitively established, the temporal relationship between water exposure and onset of serious illness warrants documentation and potential investigation by qualified professionals.

Purpose

This account is provided for documentation, awareness for other residents, and potential review by medical professionals, water quality experts, or regulatory agencies. Residents with water quality concerns in Texas can contact the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for water quality complaints.