Hardness
Very Hard
218 PPM · 12.7 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Abilene, TX 79603
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Taylor County.
No active health-based violation reported
- Primary matched system
- City Of Abilene
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Taylor County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 130,501 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
218 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
218
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
12.7
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 218 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
18
Nearest site
23.7 mi
Observation range
Feb 3, 2016–Jun 10, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: Ft Phantom Hill Res PS Site nr Nugent, TX (Lake, Reservoir, Impoundment).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 79603 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Abilene median
214 PPM
About the same6 indexed ZIP readings · Range 210–218 PPM
Texas median
111 PPM
107 PPM higher1019 indexed ZIP readings · Range 5.4–500.5 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2023
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 3
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | TX2210001 | Resolved | Feb 1, 2021through Feb 28, 2021 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | TX2210001 | Resolved | Feb 1, 2021through Feb 28, 2021 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | TX2210001 | Resolved | Feb 1, 2021through Feb 28, 2021 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Abilene ZIP 79603 using 218 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
218 PPM is 2× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Abilene
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Abilene
Is tap water safe in Abilene?+
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 218 PPM, or 12.7 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 218 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.