Elk City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
176.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.29
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 Elk City, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Elk City | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -29% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 11.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -25% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Elk City compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Elk City, Oklahoma | 108.5 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Altus, Oklahoma | 256 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Woodward, Oklahoma | 372.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Lawton, Oklahoma | 78 mg/L | 2.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| El Reno, Oklahoma | 103.5 mg/L | 2.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Elk City compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Elk City | 108.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Elk City's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Elk City, Oklahoma, in Beckham County — the Beckham County seat adjacent to Weatherford and Sayre on the North Fork Red River in southwest Oklahoma — receives its water from the City of Elk City Water, drawing from Elk City Lake (Beckham County) through the southwest Oklahoma distribution.
The moderately hard 108.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 176.7 mg/L are notably softer than the Woodward OK extreme (372.5/982) despite being in the same Permian basin Oklahoma — Elk City's Elk City Lake reservoir at the North Fork Red River provides dilution from the upper watershed before the Permian evaporite dissolution becomes extreme, producing moderate rather than extremely hard water. The Elk City Lake watershed at Beckham County — Permian Dog Creek Shale (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Permian Quartermaster Formation (gypsiferous — minor TDS contributor), and Quaternary North Fork Red River alluvium (calcareous — secondary contributor).
At 108.5 mg/L, Elk City's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 2.9 ppt is relatively low — warrants routine monitoring but no urgent filtration.
Geology & Source: Elk City in Beckham County draws from the City of Elk City Water on Elk City Lake (Beckham County, southwest Oklahoma) — the North Fork Red River watershed at Beckham County drains the Permian Quartermaster Formation (gypsiferous) and Permian Dog Creek Shale (calcareous) — Oklahoma Beckham County Elk City Lake Permian gypsiferous-calcareous supply produces moderately hard water at 108.5 mg/L with TDS 176.7 mg/L.