McComb Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
133.7 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 McComb, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In McComb | 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 McComb compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ McComb, Mississippi | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Brookhaven, Mississippi | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Hammond, Louisiana | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| Bogalusa, Louisiana | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Central, Louisiana | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How McComb compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ McComb | ≈ 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 McComb's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of McComb Municipal Water Company provides water to about 12,000 people in McComb, Pike County, Mississippi, and nearby areas. All of the city's water comes from several municipal wells that tap into a local groundwater aquifer. McComb doesn't have any surface water treatment plants; water is pumped straight from the wells to treatment facilities. There, it's disinfected and given basic processing before it heads out to homes and businesses through the city's pipes. The supply originates from groundwater within the vast Mississippi Alluvial Plain and Coastal Plain watersheds.
The geology beneath McComb consists of Cenozoic-era unconsolidated sediments. These are mainly sands and gravels mixed with calcareous clays found in the Tertiary Hattiesburg and Pliocene Citronelle Formations. This aquifer contains layers rich in minerals, which contribute to the water's hardness. As the water flows underground, it leaches calcium and magnesium ions from fragments of limestone and shell deposits. This process gives the water its mineralized character, without the dilution that would come from surface runoff.
Homeowners in McComb may notice moderate scale buildup in appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers. This can decrease their efficiency and shorten their lifespan. Laundry might feel stiff, and soap scum can appear on bathroom fixtures. Heating elements and pipes are particularly vulnerable to mineral deposits over time. To combat this, you can regularly delime appliances annually, use vinegar to soak showerheads, or install a whole-house water softener. A softener is often recommended for hard water supplies like McComb's to help extend the life of your equipment. The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report confirms compliance with EPA standards for pH, lead, and copper at the tap, with no violations.
Geology & Source: Southeastern Coastal Plain Aquifer System - unconsolidated sands, gravels, silts, clays; limestone fragments and dolomite traces create hard water
Other Mississippi Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is McComb's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in McComb?
How does McComb compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for McComb 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.