Terrytown Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
216.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.27
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 Terrytown, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Terrytown | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -27% |
| Washing Machine | 9.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -18% |
| Water Heater | 11.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Terrytown compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Terrytown, Louisiana | 103 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Gretna, Louisiana | 36.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | river |
| Harvey, Louisiana | 61 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| New Orleans, Louisiana | 74.5 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Marrero, Louisiana | 83 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Terrytown compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Terrytown | 103 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Terrytown's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Terrytown, Louisiana, in Jefferson Parish on the West Bank of the Mississippi River across from Algiers — a suburban New Orleans community in the Jefferson Parish corridor south of the Greater New Orleans metropolitan area — receives its municipal water from the Jefferson Parish Water System, which draws from the Mississippi River and treats it at Jefferson Parish's West Bank water treatment facility before distribution. The Mississippi River in Jefferson Parish is the universal drinking water source for the greater New Orleans metro area's West Bank communities.
The moderately soft 103 mg/L hardness and TDS of 216.9 mg/L reflect the Mississippi River's characteristic water chemistry at the Louisiana delta reach. By the time the Mississippi reaches Jefferson Parish, it has traveled thousands of miles from its headwaters in Minnesota, accumulating dissolved minerals from the entire upper basin — the carbonate-rich drainages of Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois — but also experiencing significant dilution from the combined volume of this massive river system as it approaches sea level. The lower Mississippi at this delta-proximate reach also receives significant dilution from the vast freshwater flow volume, moderating hardness below what would be expected from pure carbonate basin drainage.
At 103 mg/L, Terrytown's water is moderately soft — reflecting the well-managed, treated Mississippi River supply serving the greater New Orleans area. Scale forms gradually in kettles and appliances over months, soap lathers well, and the dishwasher performs adequately without special treatment. Semi-annual to quarterly descaling of heating appliances is the standard maintenance. The elevated PFAS level of 9.8 ppt is a notable concern — the Mississippi River's upper basin industrial corridor (from Minnesota to Louisiana) continuously loads the river with PFAS from manufacturing, military, and agricultural sources throughout the Midwest. A certified drinking water filter is strongly recommended for Terrytown households.
Geology & Source: Terrytown in Jefferson Parish draws from the Jefferson Parish Water System treating Mississippi River water — the Mississippi at the Louisiana delta reach carries dissolved mineral loading from its entire upper basin drainage over Devonian, Silurian, and Ordovician carbonate and alluvial plain formations — moderately soft river water at 103 mg/L reflects the Mississippi's delta reach dilution near sea level.