Hardness
Very Hard
189 PPM · 11.1 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Shepherd, TX 77371
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for San Jacinto County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- City Of Shepherd
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- San Jacinto County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0.0012 mg/L
8% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 3,411 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
189 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
189
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
11.1
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 189 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
52
Nearest site
1.8 mi
Observation range
Aug 9, 2016–Jun 12, 2025
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: WU-60-40-315 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 77371 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Shepherd median
189 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 189–189 PPM
Texas median
111 PPM
78 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)
0.0012 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
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 0.0012
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 12
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | TX2040001 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2025through Mar 5, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | TX2040001 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Feb 9, 2026 |
| Public Notice | TX2040001 | Resolved | May 15, 2025through Feb 17, 2026 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | TX2040001 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Apr 22, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | TX2040001 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Apr 22, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | TX2040001 | Resolved | Jul 2, 2024through Sep 18, 2024 |
| Public Notice | TX2040001 | Resolved | Jun 23, 2024through Jul 10, 2023 |
| Public Notice | TX2040001 | Resolved | Jan 8, 2023through Jun 21, 2023 |
| Chlorine | TX2040001 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Mar 31, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | TX2040001 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2022through Feb 22, 2023 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | TX2040001 | Unaddressed | Feb 1, 2022 |
| Public Notice | TX2040001 | Resolved | Jul 4, 2021through Jun 21, 2023 |
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 Shepherd ZIP 77371 using 189 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
189 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
Groundwater Rule 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 Shepherd
Is tap water safe in Shepherd?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 189 PPM, or 11.1 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 189 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.