Picayune Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.8 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
214.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.22
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 Picayune, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Picayune | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -19% |
| Washing Machine | 10.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -12% |
| Water Heater | 12.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -18% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Picayune compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Picayune, Mississippi | 82 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Carriere, Mississippi | 102 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Slidell, Louisiana | 154 mg/L | 13.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Bogalusa, Louisiana | 97 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Mandeville, Louisiana | 74 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Picayune compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Picayune | 82 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Picayune's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Picayune, Mississippi, in Pearl River County — a Pearl River County city adjacent to Poplarville and Slidell on the Pearl River near the Louisiana border in south Mississippi — receives its water from the City of Picayune Water Department, drawing from local groundwater wells through the south Mississippi distribution.
The moderately hard 82 mg/L hardness and TDS of 214.7 mg/L reflect the Pearl River County supply's moderate Coastal Plain character — the Cretaceous Ripley Formation provides slightly calcareous sandstone mineral content, while the Quaternary Gulf Coastal Plain alluvium contributes moderate calcareous mineral content from the south Mississippi Gulf Coastal Plain corridor (compare Poplarville MS: 79/207 in Pearl River County comparable; Slidell LA: 84/221 in St. Tammany Parish comparable; Picayune consistent moderate from the same Pearl River County Pearl River Cretaceous supply). The Pearl River watershed — Cretaceous Ripley Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Quaternary Gulf Coastal Plain alluvium (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Holocene Pearl River alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 82 mg/L with TDS 215, Picayune's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.7 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review the City of Picayune's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Picayune in Pearl River County draws from the Picayune Water on the Pearl River watershed (Pearl River County, south Mississippi) — the south Mississippi watershed draws from Cretaceous Ripley Formation (slightly calcareous) and Quaternary Gulf Coastal Plain alluvium (calcareous) — Mississippi Pearl River County Pearl River Cretaceous supply produces moderately hard water at 82 mg/L with TDS 214.7 mg/L.