Metairie Terrace Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
246.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.30
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 Metairie Terrace, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Metairie Terrace | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -31% |
| Washing Machine | 9.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -22% |
| Water Heater | 11.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -26% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Metairie Terrace compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Metairie Terrace, Louisiana | 112.5 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Metairie, Louisiana | 112 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| River Ridge, Louisiana | 137 mg/L | 12.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Kenner, Louisiana | 68 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| New Orleans, Louisiana | 74.5 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Metairie Terrace compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Metairie Terrace | 112.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Metairie Terrace's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Metairie Terrace, a community within unincorporated Jefferson Parish adjacent to New Orleans, receives its municipal water supply from the Jefferson Parish Water System, drawing directly from the Mississippi River at treatment facilities in Jefferson Parish. The Mississippi River at this point collects drainage from roughly 1.15 million square miles of the central North American continent — an unparalleled catchment spanning 31 states and parts of Canada — and is treated at the Jefferson Parish Water Treatment Plant to meet all EPA and Louisiana DEQ drinking water standards before distribution throughout Jefferson Parish. Water hardness measures 112.5 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Metairie Terrace's moderate hardness reflects the blended, diluted mineral character of the lower Mississippi River. The Mississippi drains a continental watershed crossing enormously diverse geological terrain: Carboniferous Mississippian and Pennsylvanian limestone and dolomite from the Appalachian belt and midwest carbonate platforms; Cretaceous Austin Chalk and Selma Chalk from the Southern Plains; Devonian carbonate formations from the Great Lakes region; and Ordovician through Devonian marine carbonates from the upper Midwest. Despite this rich carbonate catchment, the sheer volume of the Mississippi River significantly dilutes mineral concentrations, resulting in a moderate — rather than extreme — hardness at the New Orleans reach.
With hardness at 112.5 mg/L, Metairie Terrace residents encounter moderate scale accumulation over time. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits after several months of use — monthly cleaning with citric acid descaler maintains good water flow and appearance. Dishwashers produce cleaner glassware with rinse-aid. Water heaters benefit from periodic inspection for scale accumulation. Jefferson Parish Water System consistently delivers water meeting all Louisiana DEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements throughout the parish distribution network.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Mississippi River via the Jefferson Parish Water System — the Mississippi at New Orleans drains the entire central North American continent, carrying a mixed carbonate and sedimentary mineral load from Carboniferous and Paleozoic limestone, Cretaceous chalk, and Devonian carbonate terrain across 31 states; the diluted continental blend produces moderately hard supply at 112.5 mg/L.