Gulfport Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
327 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 Gulfport, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Gulfport | 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 Gulfport compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gulfport, Mississippi | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| West Gulfport, Mississippi | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Long Beach, Mississippi | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Biloxi, Mississippi | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| D'Iberville, Mississippi | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Gulfport compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gulfport | ≈ 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 Gulfport's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Gulfport Water Utility serves Gulfport and surrounding areas in Harrison County, Mississippi. The utility operates multiple production wells drawing from the Pascagoula Formation and Graham Ferry Formation aquifers. The wells have received a moderate susceptibility ranking to contamination according to the utility's 2024 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. Water is treated and distributed throughout the service area to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
Gulfport's water supply originates from Miocene-age sedimentary aquifer formations underlying the coastal plain of southern Mississippi. The Pascagoula and Graham Ferry formations are characterized by sand, silt, and clay layers with moderate mineral content. These formations contain groundwater with naturally elevated concentrations of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, which contribute to the hard character of the local water supply. The regional geology reflects the depositional history of the Gulf Coastal Plain.
At hard hardness levels, Gulfport residents can expect noticeable mineral scale buildup on fixtures, reduced soap and detergent effectiveness, and declining efficiency in water heaters and other appliances over time. Scale accumulation in pipes and on heating elements increases maintenance frequency. A water softener is recommended to reduce scale formation, improve cleaning efficiency, and extend appliance lifespan. Per the 2024 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, lead levels were non-detect (2021–2023); sodium was detected at 97.4 mg/L; three contaminants exceeded EPA health-based guidelines in at least one service area; volatile organic compounds are routinely monitored.
Geology & Source: Miocene Gulf Coastal Plain sedimentary aquifers — Pascagoula Formation and Graham Ferry Formation; sand, silt, and clay layers; elevated dissolved calcium and magnesium from coastal depositional strata yield hard supply
Other Mississippi Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gulfport's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Gulfport?
How does Gulfport compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Gulfport 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.