Water hardness by state
How hard is the water in Texas?
Tap water in Texas averages 14.7 grains per gallon (251 ppm calcium carbonate). That number determines how fast limescale coats your water heater, shower glass and appliances.
Based on 382 measurements from 136 monitoring sites, 2018-02 → 2023-08.
Water hardness by county in Texas
Medians of the individual measurements recorded in each county. Hardness varies far more within a state than between neighbouring states — this is where your own figure actually comes from.
| County | gpg | mg/L | Range (mg/L) | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bexar County | 18.7 | 319 | 274–354 | Hard water |
| Travis County | 19.3 | 330 | 267–379 | Hard water |
| Medina County | 14 | 239 | 230–251 | Moderately hard water |
| Comal County | 17.3 | 295 | 263–317 | Hard water |
| Hays County | 19.4 | 332 | 298–344 | Hard water |
| Uvalde County | 14 | 240 | 208–249 | Moderately hard water |
| Moore County | 13 | 222 | 214–234 | Moderately hard water |
| Bell County | 12.9 | 220 | 21–248 | Moderately hard water |
| Hartley County | 11.6 | 199 | 166–212 | Moderately hard water |
| Sherman County | 12.8 | 219 | 190–231 | Moderately hard water |
| Dallam County | 10.7 | 183 | 14–213 | Moderately hard water |
| Lipscomb County | 12.7 | 217 | 190–226 | Moderately hard water |
Range shown is the 10th-90th percentile of local measurements. Counties with fewer than five samples are omitted rather than estimated.
What 14.7 gpg means in Texas
This is hard water: visible scale on fixtures within weeks, clogged shower heads, stiff laundry and a water heater working overtime. Anti-scale protection is strongly recommended.
What it does to your home
Water heater: even a thin layer of scale insulates the heating element and drives energy use up.
Appliances: dishwashers, washing machines and coffee makers scale up and fail years early.
Fixtures and skin: white spots on faucets and glass, dry skin and dull hair after every shower.
How this figure was obtained
Median of the site-level medians at 136 groundwater monitoring sites (wells and springs — the sources most US public systems draw from) in the USGS National Water Information System (382 individual measurements, 2018-02 → 2023-08). Each site is collapsed to one value first so that a heavily sampled location cannot skew the state figure; the range shown is the 10th-90th percentile across sites. This describes the raw water resource, not a specific municipal tap after treatment.
Water Quality Portal — USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), characteristic "Hardness, Ca, Mg"Statewide average — hardness varies by utility and season. Always verify with your local water quality report.
Frequently asked questions — Texas
Is 14.7 gpg considered hard water?
On the US scale, 0–3.5 gpg is soft, 3.5–7 gpg moderately hard, 7–10.5 gpg hard and above 10.5 gpg very hard. At 14.7 gpg (251 ppm), water in Texas is classified as Hard water.
Does Texas have a limescale problem?
Water in Texas averages 14.7 gpg — Hard water. The harder the water, the faster calcium carbonate deposits build up in water heaters, appliances and pipes. Below 3.5 gpg the risk is minimal; above 7 gpg scale becomes a running cost.
How do I find the exact water hardness at my address in Texas?
Check your utility's annual water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report) or your water bill, or use our free interactive hardness map. Hardness can vary widely between neighboring utilities in Texas.
Do I need a salt-based water softener at 14.7 gpg?
Not necessarily. Salt softeners add sodium to your water and need constant refills. LIMPEO treats limescale with an electromagnetic field — no salt, no chemicals, no maintenance — and keeps healthy minerals in your drinking water.