How does Eagle Pass's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Eagle Pass (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

Eagle Pass Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

452 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · 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 Eagle Pass, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Eagle Pass	Soft Water City	Efficiency 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 Eagle Pass compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Eagle Pass, Texas	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
Del Rio, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	mixed
Uvalde, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Laredo, Texas	≈ 180+ mg/L	10 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Kerrville, Texas	≈ 180+ mg/L	3.2 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Eagle Pass compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Eagle Pass	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 High
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Eagle Pass's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 452 mg/LpH: 7.8

The City of Eagle Pass Water Works System, established in 1851, serves Eagle Pass and Maverick County, Texas, extending from North Elm Creek Subdivision northward to El Indio, 17 miles south of Eagle Pass. The utility sources all drinking water from the Rio Grande River, a surface water supply treated at facilities managed by Eagle Pass Water Works. Main offices are at 100 S Monroe St, Eagle Pass, TX 78852, and annual Consumer Confidence Reports are available at epwaterworks.org. Emergency contact lines are available 24/7.

The Rio Grande watershed spans over 2,000 miles, with the Eagle Pass intake along the US-Mexico border, influenced by upstream geology of the Rio Grande Rift featuring volcanic rocks, faulted basins, and thick limestone sequences from the Permian and Cretaceous periods. Local lithology includes Maverick Basin formations with dolomitic limestones and gypsum-bearing strata that impart a hard character through natural mineral leaching, yielding significant dissolved solids typical of Southwestern river systems lacking softening from granitic or siliceous terrains.

Very hard water promotes heavy scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Soap and detergent performance diminishes, requiring more product for lathering, while spotting occurs on glassware and fixtures. Regular vinegar descaling, installing sediment filters, and flushing systems is advised; a water softener is strongly recommended. Three contaminants have been reported above EPA MCLGs; review the latest Consumer Confidence Report on epwaterworks.org for current details. Treatment involves coagulation, filtration, disinfection, and possibly fluoridation.

Geology & Source: Rio Grande surface water; Permian limestone, dolomite, and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks in Chihuahuan Desert basin; evaporite deposits dissolve calcium and magnesium — no softening from granitic terrain — yielding characteristically hard supply

Other Texas Water Reports

Del Rio

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Uvalde

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Laredo

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Kerrville

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Eagle Pass's water safe to drink?

Yes. Eagle Pass's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 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 Eagle Pass?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Eagle Pass'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 Eagle Pass compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Eagle Pass (≈ 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 Eagle Pass 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.