Harker Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.7 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
385.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.44
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 Harker Heights, your appliances are currently losing 22% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Harker Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -52% |
| Washing Machine | 7.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -38% |
| Water Heater | 8.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -41% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Harker Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Harker Heights, Texas | 166.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Killeen, Texas | 433.5 mg/L | 12.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Fort Cavazos, Texas | 206 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Belton, Texas | 230.5 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Copperas Cove, Texas | 158.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Harker Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Harker Heights | 166.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Harker Heights home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Harker Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Harker Heights, Texas, in Bell County — a major central Texas Fort Liberty (Fort Hood) suburban city (Harker Heights is a significant Bell County city — the primary west-of-post suburb of Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Hood) in the central Texas corridor; Harker Heights has grown dramatically as a bedroom community for Fort Liberty military and civilian employees seeking affordable housing with good schools in the Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood metro area), a diverse Bell County community with a significant military and veteran, Hispanic-American, African-American, and diverse families representing the US Army's nationwide recruiting population, adjacent to Killeen in the Bell County Fort Hood corridor, home of Harker Heights City Park and the Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir recreation area (one of the most popular Central Texas recreational lakes for fishing and boating), and one of the most rapidly growing central Texas military communities — draws its municipal water supply from Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir via the City of Harker Heights Water Division. Water hardness in Harker Heights measures 166.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Harker Heights's hard supply reflects the central Texas Bell County Edwards Plateau limestone karst's calcareous character. The Lampasas River watershed (Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir) drains the Cretaceous Edwards Limestone (calcareous limestone karst). City of Harker Heights applies limited softening, producing the hard 166.5 mg/L.
At 166.5 mg/L, Harker Heights residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling and water softeners are recommended. City of Harker Heights Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Texas TCEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir (Lampasas River watershed) via the City of Harker Heights Water Division (Bell County supply) — the Bell County central Texas Fort Cavazos suburban Harker Heights corridor (Cretaceous calcareous Edwards Limestone and Cretaceous calcareous Glen Rose Formation — the calcareous central Texas Bell County Edwards Plateau limestone karst; limited softening); hard supply at 166.5 mg/L in Bell County.