How does Elk City's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Elk City (143 mg/L) is 8 mg/L softer than average.

Elk City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

143mg/L

Hard

8.4 grains per gallon

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.6

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

176.7 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.38

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

143mg/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 Elk City, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Elk City	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	4.9 yrs	8.5 yrs	-42%
Washing Machine	8.3 yrs	12 yrs	-31%
Water Heater	9.9 yrs	15 yrs	-34%

Regional Water Comparison

How Elk City compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Elk City, Oklahoma	143 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Weatherford, Oklahoma	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Altus, Oklahoma	≈ 120–179 mg/L	17.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Woodward, Oklahoma	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Vernon, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Elk City compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Elk City	143 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Elk City's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 176.7 mg/LpH: 7.6

Elk City Water Department supplies about 10,510 residents in Beaver County, Oklahoma. The utility relies on groundwater sourced from the Elk City Sandstone Aquifer. Treatment involves hypochlorite disinfection, with no other conventional methods reported. The City Manager's office oversees the system, which boasts some of the state's lowest water rates. The 2023 water quality study noted median hardness and historically high iron and manganese levels, reflecting the aquifer's mineral makeup.

The Elk City Sandstone Aquifer, a Permian-age formation, lies beneath the Oklahoma Panhandle. Its sandstone geology naturally leads to hard water because calcium and carbonate minerals dissolve within the sandstone matrix. The aquifer's mineral content and the time water spends underground contribute to the elevated hardness levels common in this area.

Homeowners might notice scale buildup in appliances like water heaters and mineral deposits on faucets and fixtures. Soap and detergents may not lather as effectively with this water. Appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines can become less efficient and require more maintenance. Installing a water softener is often advised to combat these issues and prolong the life of plumbing and appliances. Residents seeking more information can contact the Water Department or consult the annual Consumer Confidence Report.

Geology & Source: Permian-age sandstone; dissolution of calcium and carbonate minerals create hard water

Other Oklahoma Water Reports

Weatherford

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Altus

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Woodward

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Vernon

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elk City's water safe to drink?

Yes. Elk City's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 143 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 Elk City?

At 143 mg/L (Hard), Elk City'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 Elk City compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Elk City (143 mg/L) is 8 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 Elk City 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.