How does Laurel's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Laurel (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Laurel Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

180.7 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Laurel, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Laurel	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 Laurel compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Laurel, Mississippi	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Petal, Mississippi	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Hattiesburg, Mississippi	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Meridian, Mississippi	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Brandon, Mississippi	162.5 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Laurel compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Laurel	≈ 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 Laurel's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 180.7 mg/LpH: 7.5

The City of Laurel Water Company (PWS# 0340021) serves approximately 21,627–23,497 residents in Laurel, Mississippi, located in Jones County. Water is sourced exclusively from groundwater wells drawing from the Catahoula Formation Aquifer. Treatment processes include aeration and disinfection with chlorine. The utility can be reached at 601-428-6401 or PO Box 647, Laurel, MS 39441, and the latest Consumer Confidence Reports are available via msrwa.org or the Mississippi State Department of Health at msdh.ms.gov.

Laurel's supply originates from the Catahoula Formation Aquifer within Mississippi's coastal plain geology. This Oligocene-age sandstone and siltstone formation interacts with underlying limestone bedrock prevalent in the region, imparting a hard character to the water through dissolution of calcium and magnesium minerals. The moderate susceptibility to contamination noted in vulnerability assessments reflects the aquifer's geological exposure, shaping a mineralised profile common to southeastern U.S. groundwater sources.

Hard water in Laurel leads to scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Soap scum on fixtures and spots on glassware are common. Regular maintenance such as deliming appliances and using vinegar rinses helps; a water softener is recommended to prevent these issues and extend equipment life. The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report confirms compliance with EPA standards; routine monitoring ensures safety.

Geology & Source: Catahoula Formation Aquifer — Oligocene sandstone, siltstone, and clay over coastal plain deposits; limestone bedrock interaction dissolves calcium and magnesium, producing hard groundwater

Other Mississippi Water Reports

Petal

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Hattiesburg

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Meridian

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Brandon

162.5 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Laurel's water safe to drink?

Yes. Laurel's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Laurel?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Laurel's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Laurel compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Laurel (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Laurel is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.