Big Spring Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.4 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
525.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.57
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 Big Spring, your appliances are currently losing 28% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Big Spring | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -69% |
| Washing Machine | 5.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -53% |
| Water Heater | 7.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -53% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Big Spring compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Big Spring, Texas | 213 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Midland, Texas | 433.5 mg/L | 12.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Odessa, Texas | 238 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Andrews, Texas | 102.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| West Odessa, Texas | 331 mg/L | 10.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Big Spring compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Big Spring | 213 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Big Spring's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Big Spring, Texas, the Howard County seat — a major west Texas South Plains city (Big Spring is the Howard County seat — a significant west Texas city on the Llano Estacado escarpment; Big Spring is named for a large natural spring historically used by Native American tribes and later by Comanche and Kiowa buffalo hunters; Big Spring has significant petroleum industry, military (Webb Air Force Base — closed in 1977, now Big Spring McMahon-Wrinkle Airport), and ranching heritage), home of the Big Spring State Hospital (one of the most significant state psychiatric facilities in west Texas), a diverse Howard County community with a significant Hispanic-American, petroleum industry, and working-class population, adjacent to Midland and Odessa in the Permian Basin corridor (Big Spring is the eastern gateway to the Odessa–Midland Permian Basin), and one of the historically important west Texas oil patch communities — draws its municipal water supply via the City of Big Spring Water Division. Water hardness in Big Spring measures 213 mg/L — classified as hard.
Big Spring's hard supply reflects the west Texas Howard County High Plains Ogallala aquifer's calcareous caliche character. The Ogallala Formation at Big Spring draws from Quaternary calcareous High Plains caliche (calcareous-highly). City of Big Spring applies limited softening, producing the hard 213 mg/L.
At 213 mg/L, Big Spring residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling and water softeners are recommended. City of Big Spring Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Texas TCEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Ogallala Aquifer (High Plains aquifer) via the City of Big Spring Water Division — the Howard County west Texas South Plains Big Spring corridor (Quaternary calcareous Ogallala Formation caliche and Permian calcareous Quartermaster Formation — the extremely calcareous west Texas High Plains caliche-bearing Ogallala aquifer; limited softening); hard supply at 213 mg/L in Howard County.