Shreveport Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Shreveport, Louisiana draws its municipal water supply from the Red River, operated by the Shreveport Water and Sewerage Department at intakes on the Red River in Caddo Parish. The Red River originates in New Mexico and flows through the Texas Panhandle, southeastern Oklahoma, and northwestern Louisiana before reaching Shreveport. Raw water from the river is treated at the Water Reclamation Plant using conventional coagulation, filtration, and disinfection before distribution throughout the city. Water hardness in Shreveport measures 143 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.

Shreveport's moderate hardness reflects the complex geology of the Red River's long watershed. The Red River rises in the High Plains of New Mexico and Texas, traversing Permian evaporite and carbonate formations in the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma — gypsiferous and calcium sulfate-bearing bedrock that contributes substantial dissolved calcium to the river's upper reaches. By the time the Red River reaches Shreveport, it also carries calcium bicarbonate runoff from the Ouachita Mountains carbonate formations and from the Cretaceous Gulf Coastal Plain sediments of northwestern Louisiana. The combined watershed produces a consistently moderately hard, slightly mineralised supply.

With hardness at 143 mg/L, Shreveport residents encounter moderate scale accumulation over time. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop notable deposits over several months — monthly descaling with vinegar or citric acid keeps them operating efficiently. Dishwashers perform significantly better with rinse-aid to minimise mineral spotting on glassware. Water heaters accumulate moderate element scaling over time and benefit from an annual check. The City's Water and Sewerage Department consistently delivers water meeting all Louisiana DEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements throughout the Shreveport distribution network.