How does Ocean Springs's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Ocean Springs (140 mg/L) is 11 mg/L softer than average.

Ocean Springs Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

140mg/L

Hard

8.2 grains per gallon

Source

groundwater

pH Level

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

438.9 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.37

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

140mg/L as CaCO₃Hard

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 Ocean Springs, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Ocean Springs	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.9 yrs	8.5 yrs	-19%
Washing Machine	9.7 yrs	12 yrs	-19%
Water Heater	12.2 yrs	15 yrs	-19%

Regional Water Comparison

How Ocean Springs compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Ocean Springs, Mississippi	140 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
Gautier, Mississippi	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
West Gulfport, Mississippi	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Ocean Springs compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Ocean Springs	140 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Ocean Springs's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 438.9 mg/LpH: 8

The City of Ocean Springs Water Department serves approximately 26,168 people in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, within Jackson County along the Gulf Coast. The utility operates five wells drawing from the Graham Ferry Formation aquifer, with additional supply purchased from the Jackson County Utility Authority (JCUA). No named treatment plants are specified in available reports, but the system undergoes standard groundwater treatment including disinfection. The service area covers the city proper, with contact available at 228-875-6722 or P.O. Box 1800, Ocean Springs, MS 39566. The system has maintained a perfect 5.0 compliance rating from the Mississippi Department of Health for 13 years as of the latest reports.

Water originates from the Graham Ferry Formation, a groundwater aquifer embedded in the Mississippi coastal plain, supplemented by JCUA sources from comparable local aquifers. Regional geology features Tertiary-age sands, gravels, and limestones that dissolve minerals into the groundwater, imparting a hard character due to elevated calcium and magnesium content from limestone dissolution. This sedimentary coastal aquifer system produces a moderately mineralised to hard supply typical of Gulf Coast groundwater, with moderate contamination susceptibility as assessed by MDEQ source water evaluations.

Hard water in Ocean Springs causes scale buildup most severely in water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and faucets, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Maintenance tips include regular flushing of water heaters, installing scale-inhibiting filters, and using vinegar soaks on fixtures. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and appliances while improving soap efficiency and reducing spotting on dishes and glassware. The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for PWS# 0300005 confirms full compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act standards, with 29 of 30 unregulated contaminants tested below minimum reporting levels. Lead testing is encouraged via the city at 228-875-4176 or the MS Public Health Laboratory; treatment involves standard groundwater disinfection processes.

Geology & Source: Graham Ferry Formation aquifer — Tertiary Cenozoic coastal plain sands, gravels, and limestone layers; limestone dissolution yields hard supply; supplemental from Jackson County Utility Authority coastal aquifers

Other Mississippi Water Reports

Biloxi

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

D'Iberville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Gautier

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

West Gulfport

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ocean Springs's water safe to drink?

Yes. Ocean Springs's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 140 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 Ocean Springs?

At 140 mg/L (Hard), Ocean Springs'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 19%.

How does Ocean Springs compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Ocean Springs (140 mg/L) is 11 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 Ocean Springs 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.