Hardness
Very Hard
218 PPM · 12.7 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Buffalo Gap, TX 79508
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.
1 reported benchmark flag
- Primary matched system
- City Of Buffalo Gap
- 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 1,502 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
24.9 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 79508 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Buffalo Gap median
218 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 218–218 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 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2023
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
TTHM
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.098
EPA limit 0.08
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 11
- Health-based
- 4
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | TX2210003 | Resolved | Jul 2, 2025through May 13, 2026 |
| Public Notice | TX2210003 | Resolved | Nov 16, 2023through Feb 14, 2024 |
| TTHM | TX2210003 | Resolved | Aug 6, 2022through Apr 6, 2023 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.098 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | TX2210003 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Sep 30, 2022 |
| TTHM | TX2210003 | Resolved | Jun 25, 2022through Apr 6, 2023 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.096 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | TX2210003 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2022through Jun 30, 2022 |
| Public Notice | TX2210003 | Resolved | Feb 21, 2022through Mar 4, 2022 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.095 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | TX2210003 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2022through Mar 31, 2022 |
| Public Notice | TX2210003 | Resolved | Oct 2, 2021through Apr 26, 2022 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 0.098 MG/L · MCL 0.08 | TX2210003 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2021through Dec 31, 2021 |
| Chlorine | TX2210003 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2021through Jun 30, 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 Buffalo Gap ZIP 79508 using 218 PPM nearby hardness and 2 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 systemsDrinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
TTHM has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate 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.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Buffalo Gap
Is tap water safe in Buffalo Gap?+
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.