Pascagoula Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Pascagoula Water Utility serves over 22,000 residents in Jackson County on Mississippi's Gulf Coast. The utility operates water treatment facilities drawing from the Gulf Coast aquifer system and surface water sources characteristic of the lower Mississippi coastal zone, including the West Pascagoula River basin. Service encompasses the city of Pascagoula and surrounding communities. The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report confirms the water meets EPA legal compliance standards, achieving an A grade for legal compliance; treatment includes coagulation, filtration, and chlorine disinfection.

Pascagoula's water originates from the Gulf Coast aquifer, a complex system of Quaternary and Tertiary sedimentary layers underlain by Cretaceous formations. The subsurface geology of this Mississippi coastal plain includes sand, clay, and limestone layers, with limestone and carbonate-rich formations dominating the subsurface and imparting significant dissolved mineral content to groundwater. This geological setting produces a very hard water supply typical of coastal Mississippi regions with extensive limestone bedrock.

At very hard levels, Pascagoula residents experience accelerated scaling in water heaters, reduced soap effectiveness, and mineral buildup in pipes and appliances. Dishwashers, washing machines, and hot water systems require more frequent maintenance and descaling. Water softening is strongly recommended to reduce appliance wear and improve cleaning efficiency; annual hard water costs are estimated at $930–$1,470 without treatment. Independent testing identified 11 detectable contaminants, with 6 exceeding health advocacy guidelines, including trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and hexavalent chromium; health advocacy organizations assign a C grade by stricter health-based standards, while the utility meets all EPA legal requirements.