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McComb Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · 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

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

ApplianceIn McCombSoft Water CityEfficiency 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

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
McComb, Mississippi≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Brookhaven, Mississippi≈ 120–179 mg/L7.8 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Hammond, Louisiana≈ 0–60 mg/L0 ppt🟢 Softgroundwater
Bogalusa, Louisiana≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Central, Louisiana≈ 120–179 mg/L7.5 ppt🟠 Hardriver

National Benchmark

How McComb compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
McComb≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes McComb's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 133.7 mg/LpH: 7.3

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?
Yes. McComb'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 McComb?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), McComb'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 McComb compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. McComb (≈ 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 McComb 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

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.

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.