Hard Water in Central Texas — Why It Happens & How to Fix It

Hard water is simply water with a high level of dissolved calcium and magnesium, measured in grains per gallon (gpg). Anything above about 7 gpg is considered hard, and much of Central Texas runs well into the “very hard” range because our water moves through limestone and granite that dissolve those minerals into it.

How hard is the water where you live?

It varies a lot by utility and address. Based on state sampling from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ):

• City of Austin proper is only moderately hard — around 5–6 gpg.
• But many surrounding systems run roughly twice as hard, about 10–11 gpg — including Travis County WCID 17, the West Travis County PUA, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander and Hutto.
• Georgetown ranges from about 10 gpg up to roughly 17–20 gpg depending on whether your address is fed by surface water or hard groundwater wells.
• Private wells across the Hill Country are often very hard and may also carry iron and sulfur.

See your area on our service-area pages — each lists the local water context. The only way to know your exact number is a test, which is the first thing we do.

Signs you have hard water

White scale on faucets and shower glass; spotty dishes and glassware; soap and shampoo that won't lather; stiff laundry; dry skin and hair; and water heaters, tankless units and appliances that wear out early as scale builds inside them.

How to fix hard water

A properly sized water softener removes the hardness minerals through ion exchange, so scale never forms. If you've disliked the slippery feel of traditional softened water, our Enhanced Filtration systems soften and filter without that slimy feel. Prefer no salt? Salt-free conditioning (Active Armor and the Avenger) controls scale without adding sodium or producing wastewater — though it conditions rather than truly softens. The right choice depends on your hardness level and whether you're on city or well water.