Hardness
Very Hard
217 PPM · 12.7 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Wheeler, TX 79096
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Wheeler County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Wheeler Municipal Water System
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Wheeler 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 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 1,602 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
217 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
217
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
12.7
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 217 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
15
Nearest site
22.6 mi
Observation range
Jun 13, 2016–May 11, 2021
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: ZB-05-44-907 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 79096 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Wheeler median
217 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 217–217 PPM
Texas median
111 PPM
106 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, 2025
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
Nitrate
Measured in MG/L
Local 11
EPA limit 10
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 9
- Health-based
- 3
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | TX2420002 | Unaddressed | Apr 1, 2026 |
| Public Notice | TX2420002 | Resolved | Oct 26, 2025through Dec 29, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | TX2420002 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | TX2420002 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Jan 5, 2026 |
| Public Notice | TX2420002 | Resolved | Feb 27, 2025through Mar 26, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | TX2420002 | Unaddressed | Nov 1, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | TX2420002 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Jan 5, 2026 |
| NitrateHealth-basedReported 11 MG/L · MCL 10 | TX2420002 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2024through Mar 31, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | TX2420002 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2021through Feb 14, 2022 |
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 Wheeler ZIP 79096 using 217 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
217 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
Nitrate, Lead and Copper Rule have 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 Wheeler
Is tap water safe in Wheeler?+
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 217 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 217 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.