How does Carrollton's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Carrollton (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Carrollton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.6

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

892.1 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · 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 Carrollton, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Carrollton	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Carrollton compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Carrollton, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	230.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Farmers Branch, Texas	≈ 180+ mg/L	139.6 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
Addison, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	65.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Coppell, Texas	≈ 180+ mg/L	63.5 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
The Colony, Texas	≈ 0–60 mg/L	182.1 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Carrollton compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Carrollton	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Carrollton's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 892.1 mg/LpH: 7.6

The City of Carrollton, Texas, receives its drinking water from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) and Dallas Water Utilities, serving Denton and Dallas Counties with a population exceeding 130,000. Primary sources include six reservoirs — Grapevine Lake, Lewisville Lake, Ray Roberts Lake, Ray Hubbard Lake, Lake Fork Reservoir, and Lake Tawakoni — supplemented by the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Treatment occurs at NTMWD facilities including the W.D. Moore Water Treatment Plant and Dallas's regional plants, employing settling, filtration, chloramine and ozone disinfection, lime softening, iron sulfate for corrosion control, and activated carbon for taste and odor.

The supply originates in the Trinity River Basin watershed, spanning the Blackland Prairie and Post Oak Savannah ecoregions underlain by Cretaceous limestones and marls of the Trinity and Woodbine Groups. These formations — including the Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford Shale equivalents — weather to yield calcium- and magnesium-rich runoff into the reservoirs, imparting a moderately mineralised character to the water. Groundwater from the underlying Trinity Aquifer is avoided due to poor quality, keeping the supply focused on surface sources shaped by this limestone-dominated terrain.

As a moderately hard supply, Carrollton's water promotes moderate scale buildup in appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency and lifespan over time. Laundry may require more detergent and skin may feel drier after bathing; regular maintenance includes deliming fixtures annually, installing drain screens, and using vinegar soaks for faucets, with a water softener often recommended. Water quality meets EPA standards, with pH typically 7.5–8.5 for corrosion control, Lead and Copper Rule compliance maintained, and fluoride added for dental health; third-party tests note 1,2,3-Trichloropropane above health guidelines from historical soil fumigants, though regulated levels are met.

Geology & Source: Trinity River watershed — Cretaceous Gulf Coastal Plain; Woodbine and Trinity Group limestone and dolomite dissolve calcium and magnesium via karstic interaction; moderately mineralised supply; Trinity Aquifer avoided due to poor quality

Other Texas Water Reports

Farmers Branch

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Addison

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Coppell

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

The Colony

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Carrollton's water safe to drink?

Yes. Carrollton's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 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 Carrollton?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Carrollton'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 20%.

How does Carrollton compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Carrollton (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 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 Carrollton 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.