Central Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
122 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.18
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 Central, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Central | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -13% |
| Washing Machine | 11.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -14% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Central compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Central, Louisiana | 68 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Baker, Louisiana | 122 mg/L | 11.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Zachary, Louisiana | 149 mg/L | 12.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Shenandoah, Louisiana | 136 mg/L | 12 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Baton Rouge, Louisiana | 136.5 mg/L | 12 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Central compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Central | 68 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Central's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Central (unincorporated Jefferson Parish), Louisiana — a major south Louisiana Greater New Orleans West Bank community (the Central community in Jefferson Parish refers to the unincorporated communities of the west bank Jefferson Parish suburban belt (the area including communities such as Marrero, Harvey, Westwego, and the broader west bank Jefferson Parish corridor is sometimes called 'Central Jefferson Parish'); the west bank of the Mississippi River in Jefferson Parish is one of the most industrially significant corridors in the Greater New Orleans metro — home of oil service companies, petrochemical facilities, and shipping infrastructure along the Harvey Canal and Algiers Canal), a diverse Jefferson Parish community with a significant Cajun-heritage, African-American, Hispanic-American, and working-class population, home of one of the most significant petroleum service industry corridors in the New Orleans metro area, adjacent to Marrero and Harvey in the west bank Jefferson Parish corridor, and a community shaped by its position in the Mississippi River Delta lowlands — draws its municipal water supply from the Mississippi River via the Jefferson Parish Water Division. Water hardness in Central measures 68 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Central's moderate softness reflects the south Louisiana Jefferson Parish Mississippi River alluvial supply's calcareous-poor character. The Jefferson Parish Water Division distributes Mississippi River supply to the west bank Central zone with effective treatment, producing the moderately soft 68 mg/L.
With hardness at 68 mg/L, Central residents enjoy moderately soft water. Jefferson Parish Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Louisiana DEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Mississippi River via the Jefferson Parish Water Division — the Jefferson Parish south Louisiana West Bank Central corridor (Quaternary calcareous-poor Mississippi River alluvium and calcareous-poor Gulf Coastal Plain alluvial clay — the calcareous-poor south Louisiana floodplain; effective treatment); moderately soft at 68 mg/L in Jefferson Parish.