Roswell Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.7 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
513.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.54
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 Roswell, your appliances are currently losing 27% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Roswell | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -65% |
| Washing Machine | 6.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -48% |
| Water Heater | 7.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -49% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Roswell compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Roswell, New Mexico | 201 mg/L | 2.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Carlsbad, New Mexico | 264.5 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Alamogordo, New Mexico | 158 mg/L | 2.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Hobbs, New Mexico | 391.5 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Clovis, New Mexico | 162 mg/L | 2.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Roswell compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Roswell | 201 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Roswell's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Roswell, New Mexico, the Chaves County seat in the Pecos River Valley — the famous 'UFO Capital of the World' (site of the 1947 Roswell UFO incident), a major southeast New Mexico agricultural and oil patch hub, home of New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI), and a major Pecos Valley dairy and agricultural community — draws its municipal water supply from the Roswell Artesian Basin (Pecos Valley alluvial aquifer) via the City of Roswell Water Utilities Division. Water hardness in Roswell measures 201 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Roswell's very hard supply reflects the Pecos River Valley's calcareous Permian geology. The Roswell Artesian Basin (the famous artesian groundwater system of the Pecos Valley — historically one of the most productive artesian aquifer systems in the Southwest) is recharged from: the Permian San Andres Limestone (highly calcareous marine limestone of the Guadalupe Mountains front — the primary karst aquifer recharge for the Roswell Basin); the Permian Yeso Formation (calcareous gypsum, dolomite, and evaporite — contributing dissolved calcium and sulfate); and the Pecos Valley alluvial deposits (calcareous alluvial recharge from the Guadalupe Mountains calcareous terrain). The San Andres Limestone karst dissolution produces the very hard 201 mg/L.
At 201 mg/L, Roswell residents face significant hard water challenges. Scale deposits form rapidly on all fixtures — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is essential maintenance. City of Roswell Water Utilities Division consistently delivers water meeting all New Mexico NMED and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Roswell Artesian Basin (Pecos River Valley alluvial aquifer) via the City of Roswell Water Utilities Division — the Chaves County southeast New Mexico Pecos River Valley (Permian San Andres Limestone and the Pecos Valley calcareous evaporite terrain); very hard supply at 201 mg/L — reflecting the Pecos Valley's concentrated calcareous and evaporitic Permian terrain.