Fredericksburg Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
20.1 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
994.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.92
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 Fredericksburg, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Fredericksburg | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3 yrs | 12 yrs | -75% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Fredericksburg compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fredericksburg, Texas | 344 mg/L | 10.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Kerrville, Texas | 412.5 mg/L | 11.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Boerne, Texas | 140 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Timberwood Park, Texas | 85.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Canyon Lake, Texas | 275.5 mg/L | 8.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Fredericksburg compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fredericksburg | 344 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Fredericksburg's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County — the Gillespie County seat adjacent to Kerrville and Mason in the Texas Hill Country — receives its water from the Fredericksburg Water and Sewer Department, drawing from the Pedernales River and Edwards Aquifer wells through the south-central Texas distribution.
The extremely hard 344 mg/L hardness and very high TDS of 994.2 mg/L reflect the Gillespie County Edwards Plateau supply's extreme calcareous-evaporitic character — the Cretaceous Edwards Limestone is a highly calcareous karst formation, while the Cretaceous Glen Rose Formation contains gypsum and anhydrite evaporite beds; deep Hill Country aquifer wells concentrate these evaporitic minerals to extreme levels (compare Kerrville TX: 337/975 in Kerr County comparable; Mason TX: 350/1013 in Mason County comparable; Fredericksburg consistent extremely hard from the same Gillespie County Pedernales River Edwards Plateau Cretaceous evaporitic supply). The Edwards Plateau supply — Cretaceous Edwards Limestone (highly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Cretaceous Glen Rose Formation (evaporitic — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Pedernales alluvium (evaporitic — TDS contributor).
At 344 mg/L with TDS 994, Fredericksburg's water is extremely hard — a whole-house water softener is essential. A reverse osmosis system is strongly recommended for drinking due to very high TDS. The PFAS level of 10.3 ppt is very high — a certified filter with PFAS removal is strongly recommended. Review the Fredericksburg Water Department's annual report.
Geology & Source: Fredericksburg in Gillespie County draws from the Fredericksburg Water on the Pedernales River blend (Gillespie County, south Texas) — the Edwards Plateau draws from Cretaceous Edwards Limestone (highly calcareous) and Cretaceous Glen Rose Formation (evaporitic) — Texas Gillespie County Pedernales River Edwards Plateau Cretaceous evaporitic supply produces extremely hard water at 344 mg/L with TDS 994.2 mg/L.