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Borger Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated Β· not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.4

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

βœ“ Below action level

TDS

565 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below Β· Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard Β· est.

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 Borger, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn BorgerSoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
4.7 yrs
8.5 yrs-45%
Washing Machine
6.6 yrs
12 yrs-45%
Water Heater
8.3 yrs
15 yrs-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How Borger compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
β–Ά Borger, Texasβ‰ˆ 180+ mg/L0 pptπŸ”΄ Very Hardreservoir
Pampa, Texasβ‰ˆ 180+ mg/L3.2 pptπŸ”΄ Very Hardreservoir
Dumas, Texasβ‰ˆ 180+ mg/L0 pptπŸ”΄ Very Hardgroundwater
Amarillo, Texas248 mg/L5.3 pptπŸ”΄ Very Hardreservoir
Canyon, Texasβ‰ˆ 180+ mg/L5.2 pptπŸ”΄ Very Hardreservoir

National Benchmark

How Borger compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
β–Ά Borgerβ‰ˆ 180+ mg/LπŸ”΄ High
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟒 None

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What Makes Borger's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 565 mg/LpH: 8.4

The City of Borger Water Utilities Department provides service to around 13,000 residents in Borger, Hutchinson County, Texas Panhandle. The water supply primarily comes from groundwater drawn via municipal wells tapping the Ogallala Aquifer, supplemented by surface water from Dixon Creek, a tributary of the Canadian River. All water undergoes treatment at the city's Water Treatment Plant before distribution. Annual water quality reports, detailing the supply, are readily available to the public on the city's official website, borgertx.gov. The Dixon Creek watershed itself is part of the Canadian River basin and drains the generally dry High Plains region.

Beneath the surface, Borger's water originates in the Ogallala Aquifer, which consists of loose sediments like sands, silts, and clays from the Quaternary period. This aquifer rests upon older Permian bedrock, including formations such as the Dockum Group and the Whitehorse Formation. These geological layers, particularly the presence of limestone and dolomite, are rich in minerals. As water flows through these formations and interacts with the local soils, it picks up dissolved calcium and magnesium, which are the primary contributors to the water's characteristic hardness.

This naturally hard water can lead to noticeable buildup, commonly known as scale, within household plumbing, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. Such accumulations not only reduce the efficiency of these appliances but can also shorten their operational lifespan. Homeowners might notice faucet aerators and showerheads becoming clogged more frequently, resulting in diminished water flow and potentially increased energy consumption. While routine cleaning with vinegar can help manage scale, installing a whole-house water softener is often recommended to protect appliances and improve the lathering of soaps and detergents.

Geology & Source: Ogallala Aquifer sands/silts; Permian red beds (Whitehorse Group); limestone-rich soils produce hard water

Other Texas Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Borger's water safe to drink?
Yes. Borger's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is β‰ˆ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Borger?
At β‰ˆ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Borger'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 45%.
How does Borger compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Borger (β‰ˆ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Borger 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 β€” the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

pH

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock β€” values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS β€” 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 β€” Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) β€” 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 β€” 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.