Opelousas Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
183 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Opelousas, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Opelousas | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Opelousas compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Opelousas, Louisiana | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Lafayette, Louisiana | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Eunice, Louisiana | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Broussard, Louisiana | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 11.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Crowley, Louisiana | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 14 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Opelousas compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Opelousas | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Opelousas's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Opelousas Water System serves 20,397 people in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, with its water supply drawn from Bayou Teche. You'll find the utility's mailing address at City of Opelousas Water System PO Box 1879, Opelousas, LA 70571, and they can be reached at 337-948-2520, or through their 24/7 emergency line at 1-855-234-0365. The water supply in Louisiana generally comes from regional aquifers or surface sources that interact with local geology, including Cenozoic sediments and coastal plain formations, which can influence the mineral content of the water.
The Mississippi Embayment and Quaternary Red River alluvial deposits, as well as Eocene and Miocene calcareous formations, contribute to the geological character of the area. These formations, including the Wilcox and Catahoula calcareous sands, can shape the general water chemistry and produce moderately hard water with elevated TDS levels. The specific rock types and formations in the area, such as calcareous sand, play a significant role in determining the water's hardness.
For residents, this means that periodic cleaning of fixtures and appliances prone to mineral buildup is a good idea. If you're concerned about the water's hardness, it's a good idea to check your local water quality report for personalized advice on water softeners, as treatment is recommended for moderately hard water. Additionally, you may want to consider descaling your appliances regularly to prevent damage from mineral deposits. The City of Opelousas Water System meets all EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, with a rating of 'A' from the Louisiana Department of Health, so you can be confident in the safety of your water supply.
Geology & Source: Opelousas area - Eocene Wilcox calcareous; Miocene Catahoula calcareous sand; produces moderately hard water
Other Louisiana Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Opelousas's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Opelousas?
How does Opelousas compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Opelousas is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
Water Hardness
Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
TDS — Total Dissolved Solids
Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.
PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.
Lead
Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Appliance Lifespan
Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.