Petal Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.4 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
190.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.20
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · 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 Petal, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Petal | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -16% |
| Washing Machine | 10.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -10% |
| Water Heater | 12.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -16% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Petal compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Petal, Mississippi | 74.5 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Hattiesburg, Mississippi | 146 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Laurel, Mississippi | 71.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Bogalusa, Louisiana | 97 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Carriere, Mississippi | 102 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Petal compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Petal | 74.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Petal's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Petal, Mississippi, in Forrest County — a Forrest County city adjacent to Hattiesburg and Purvis on the Leaf River in south Mississippi — receives its water from the City of Petal Water Department, drawing from local groundwater wells through the south Mississippi distribution.
The soft 74.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 190.3 mg/L reflect the Forrest County supply's soft Coastal Plain character — the Cretaceous Eutaw Formation provides slightly calcareous sandstone mineral content, while the Quaternary Coastal Plain alluvium contributes moderate calcareous mineral content from the south Mississippi Gulf Coastal Plain corridor (compare Hattiesburg MS: 71/182 in Forrest County comparable; Purvis MS: 77/198 in Lamar County comparable; Petal consistent soft from the same Forrest County Leaf River Cretaceous supply). The Leaf River watershed — Cretaceous Eutaw Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Quaternary Coastal Plain alluvium (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Holocene Leaf River alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 74.5 mg/L with TDS 190, Petal's water is soft — minimal scale buildup. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.4 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review the City of Petal's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Petal in Forrest County draws from the Petal Water on the Leaf River watershed (Forrest County, south Mississippi) — the south Mississippi watershed draws from Cretaceous Eutaw Formation (slightly calcareous) and Quaternary Coastal Plain alluvium (calcareous) — Mississippi Forrest County Leaf River Cretaceous supply produces soft water at 74.5 mg/L with TDS 190.3 mg/L.