Gonzales Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.9 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
324.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.36
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 Gonzales, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Gonzales | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -40% |
| Washing Machine | 8.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -28% |
| Water Heater | 10.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -32% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Gonzales compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gonzales, Louisiana | 135.5 mg/L | 12 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Prairieville, Louisiana | 95 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Shenandoah, Louisiana | 136 mg/L | 12 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Gardere, Louisiana | 115.5 mg/L | 10.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Denham Springs, Louisiana | 66.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Gonzales compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gonzales | 135.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Gonzales's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Gonzales, Louisiana, in Ascension Parish — the Ascension Parish seat adjacent to Baton Rouge and Prairieville on the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge — receives its water from the Ascension Parish Waterworks District, drawing from the Mississippi River through the south Louisiana distribution.
The moderately hard 135.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 324.6 mg/L reflect the Ascension Parish supply's moderate Mississippi River character — the Cretaceous Selma Chalk and Quaternary Gulf Coast alluvium contribute calcareous mineral content from the lower Mississippi River's extensive drainage of the Gulf Coastal Plain (compare Baton Rouge LA: 131/313 in East Baton Rouge Parish comparable; Prairieville LA: 139/336 in Ascension Parish comparable; Gonzales consistent moderate from the same Ascension Parish Mississippi River Cretaceous calcareous supply). The Mississippi River at Ascension Parish — Cretaceous Selma Chalk (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Quaternary Gulf Coast alluvium (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Holocene Mississippi River alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 135.5 mg/L with TDS 325, Gonzales' water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 12.0 ppt is very high — a certified filter with PFAS removal is strongly recommended. Review the Ascension Parish Waterworks District's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Gonzales in Ascension Parish draws from the Ascension Parish Water on the Mississippi River (Ascension Parish, south Louisiana) — the Mississippi River at Ascension Parish draws from Cretaceous Selma Chalk (calcareous) and Quaternary Gulf Coast alluvium (calcareous) — Louisiana Ascension Parish Mississippi River Cretaceous calcareous supply produces moderately hard water at 135.5 mg/L with TDS 324.6 mg/L.