How does El Campo's water compare to the national average?

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

El Campo Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

404 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 El Campo, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In El Campo	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 El Campo compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ El Campo, Texas	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Bay City, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Rosenberg, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	341.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Richmond, Texas	167 mg/L	331.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Port Lavaca, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	145.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How El Campo compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ El Campo	≈ 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 El Campo's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 404 mg/LpH: 7.7

The City of El Campo utility provides water to residents in El Campo, Texas, a city located in Wharton County. Their administrative offices are at 315 E Jackson St, El Campo, TX 77437, and they can be reached at 979-541-5000, with a 24/7 emergency contact number available. The water supply originates entirely from groundwater sources. After extraction, the water undergoes disinfection with chlorine at the municipal treatment facility before distribution to the public. This supply is drawn from the Gulf Coast Aquifer system, a significant groundwater resource in the Texas coastal plain.

The Gulf Coast Aquifer system, which underlies Wharton County, is geologically characterized by layers of Quaternary sands and gravels stacked atop older Tertiary formations containing limestone and clay. This geological makeup is conducive to producing hard water. As groundwater moves through these strata, it dissolves significant amounts of calcium and magnesium from the carbonate-rich rocks and sediments. The recharge process, occurring through permeable soils in the Texas coastal plain, further enhances this mineral dissolution, leading to a supply with elevated mineral content typical of this karst-influenced region.

Homeowners will likely notice the effects of this very hard water on their plumbing and appliances. Scale buildup can significantly reduce the efficiency and lifespan of water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and even household pipes. You might also find that soap doesn't lather well, leading to residue on dishes and skin dryness after showering. To combat these issues, regular descaling of appliances and flushing of water heaters are recommended. Installing scale inhibitors can help, but a whole-house water softener is strongly advised to protect your systems and improve daily water use. Despite its hardness, the City of El Campo reported an overall water quality score of 80/100 in 2026, with no major EPA violations, though two contaminants were slightly above health guidelines.

Geology & Source: Gulf Coast Aquifer system; Pleistocene and Holocene unconsolidated sands, gravels, silts, and clays; limestone-rich soils and rock formations; high mineral dissolution produces hard water

Other Texas Water Reports

Bay City

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Rosenberg

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Richmond

167 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Port Lavaca

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is El Campo's water safe to drink?

Yes. El Campo'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 El Campo?

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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. El Campo (≈ 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 El Campo 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.