Saraland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
378 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.41
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Saraland, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Saraland | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -47% |
| Washing Machine | 7.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -34% |
| Water Heater | 9.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -37% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Saraland compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Saraland, Alabama | 154 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Prichard, Alabama | 86.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Mobile, Alabama | 55 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Tillmans Corner, Alabama | 152 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Daphne, Alabama | 36.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Saraland compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Saraland | 154 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Saraland's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Saraland, Alabama, in Mobile County — a Mobile County city adjacent to Prichard and Chickasaw in the north Mobile metro — receives its water from the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS), drawing from the Mobile River or Tombigbee River (Mobile County) through the north Mobile metro distribution.
The moderately hard 154 mg/L hardness and TDS of 378 mg/L reflect the southwest Alabama Mobile County supply's moderate Coastal Plain calcareous character — driven by the Mobile River watershed's accumulated calcareous input from the Cretaceous Selma Chalk and Prairie Bluff formations of the Alabama Black Belt and Coastal Plain geology. The Mobile River at Mobile County drains — Cretaceous Selma Chalk (calcareous — primary hardness contributor from Black Belt Cretaceous drainage), Pennsylvanian Pottsville sandstone (insoluble — dilutant from upper Cumberland Plateau), and Quaternary Gulf Coastal Plain alluvium (slightly calcareous).
At 154 mg/L, Saraland's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Mobile Regional Airport (Mobile County — AFFF) and the Mobile County southwest Alabama industrial corridor contribute to Saraland's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Saraland in Mobile County draws from the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System on the Mobile River or Tombigbee River (Mobile County, southwest Alabama) — the Mobile River at Mobile County drains the Cumberland Plateau (Pennsylvanian Pottsville sandstone — insoluble) and Cretaceous Coastal Plain calcareous formations — Alabama Mobile County Mobile River Cretaceous calcareous Coastal Plain watershed produces moderately hard water at 154 mg/L with TDS 378 mg/L.