Gatesville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.8 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
207.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.26
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 Gatesville, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Gatesville | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -26% |
| Washing Machine | 9.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 11.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Gatesville compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gatesville, Texas | 99 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Fort Cavazos, Texas | 206 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Killeen, Texas | 433.5 mg/L | 12.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Copperas Cove, Texas | 158.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Harker Heights, Texas | 166.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Gatesville compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gatesville | 99 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Gatesville's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Gatesville, Texas, in Coryell County — the Coryell County seat adjacent to Copperas Cove and Killeen in central Texas Hill Country — receives its municipal water from the City of Gatesville, drawing from the Leon River (Coryell County) or local groundwater wells through the central Texas water treatment system.
The moderately hard 99 mg/L hardness and TDS of 207.4 mg/L are significantly softer than the central Texas Edwards Aquifer communities (San Antonio: 263 mg/L) — reflecting the Leon River drainage's mixed Hill Country calcareous and insoluble character at Coryell County rather than the pure Edwards Limestone aquifer that dominates the San Antonio area. The Leon River at Coryell County drains the Texas Hill Country — Cretaceous Edwards Limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Cretaceous Glen Rose Formation (calcareous limestone and marl), and Cretaceous Travis Peak Formation (insoluble sandstone). The moderate Edwards Limestone exposure produces the moderately hard Gatesville supply.
At 99 mg/L, Gatesville's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood, Bell County — AFFF, the dominant central Texas PFAS source with a large plume affecting the Leon River watershed and Coryell County water supply) contributes to Gatesville's readings.
Geology & Source: Gatesville in Coryell County draws from the City of Gatesville Water on Stillhouse Hollow Lake or local wells (Coryell County, central Texas) — the Leon River-Stillhouse watershed drains the Texas Hill Country (Cretaceous Edwards Limestone, Cretaceous Glen Rose calcareous) — Texas Coryell County Leon River Cretaceous limestone watershed produces moderately hard water at 99 mg/L with TDS 207.4 mg/L in this Coryell County Texas city.