Alamo Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
259.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 Alamo, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Alamo | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -34% |
| Washing Machine | 9.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -23% |
| Water Heater | 10.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -28% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Alamo compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Alamo, Texas | 120 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| San Juan, Texas | 432.5 mg/L | 12.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Pharr, Texas | 435.5 mg/L | 12.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Donna, Texas | 268.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| McAllen, Texas | 266 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Alamo compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Alamo | 120 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Alamo's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Alamo, Texas, in Hidalgo County — a Hidalgo County city in the Lower Rio Grande Valley adjacent to Mission and McAllen, part of the McAllen-Edinburgh-Mission metropolitan area — receives its municipal water from the City of Alamo Water Division or through the Hidalgo County Irrigation District (HCID), drawing from the Rio Grande through the Lower Rio Grande Valley water supply infrastructure.
The moderately hard 120 mg/L hardness and TDS of 259.6 mg/L reflect the Rio Grande in the Lower Valley's moderate Chihuahuan Desert-influenced mineral character. The Rio Grande at the Lower Valley draws from the Chihuahuan Desert and the Big Bend reach — traversing calcareous Cretaceous terrain (Edwards-Georgetown Limestone, Buda Limestone) and the South Texas Plain (Eocene Wilcox Group calcareous formations) before reaching the Valley. At the Lower Valley, the Rio Grande is considerably diluted and somewhat de-mineralized from agricultural return flows (irrigation reuse), producing the moderate hardness and TDS characteristic of the McAllen area municipalities.
At 120 mg/L, Alamo'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 5.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (Nueces County — AFFF user upstream in the Rio Grande watershed system), the Rio Grande Valley agricultural chemical corridor, and the Texas-Mexico border industrial PFAS complex contribute to Alamo's readings.
Geology & Source: Alamo in Hidalgo County draws from the City of Alamo Water Division or Hidalgo County Irrigation District on the Rio Grande (Lower Rio Grande Valley) — the Rio Grande at the Valley drains the Chihuahuan Desert and South Texas Plain (Cretaceous calcareous and Quaternary alluvial) — Rio Grande Lower Valley Chihuahuan Desert calcareous drainage produces moderately hard water at 120 mg/L with TDS 260 mg/L in this Hidalgo County Texas city.