Kilgore Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
25.1 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
1362.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$1.00
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 Kilgore, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Kilgore | 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 Kilgore compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kilgore, Texas | 430 mg/L | 12.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Longview, Texas | 351.5 mg/L | 10.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Henderson, Texas | 219 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Tyler, Texas | 271 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Marshall, Texas | 190.5 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Kilgore compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kilgore | 430 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Kilgore's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Kilgore, Texas, in Gregg County — the Gregg County city adjacent to Longview and Gladewater in the East Texas Oilfield — receives its municipal water from the Kilgore Water Division, drawing from the Sabine River and local groundwater (Gregg County) through the northeast Texas distribution.
The extremely hard 430 mg/L hardness and very high TDS of 1362.5 mg/L are the highest in the entire USA dataset — reflecting the extreme East Texas Oilfield saline groundwater mixing with the Sabine River at this point. The Sabine River at Gregg County receives deep East Texas Basin saline intrusion — Permian evaporitic water from the deep East Texas Basin (halite and gypsum — dominant TDS contributor from deep oilfield brine), Eocene Claiborne Group (calcareous — primary surface hardness contributor), and Cretaceous Austin Chalk (calcareous — secondary contribution). The Permian oilfield brine mixing and Eocene calcareous input produce the extreme Kilgore supply.
At 430 mg/L with TDS 1363, Kilgore's water is extremely hard. A water softener is essential, and a reverse osmosis system is strongly recommended for drinking water. Scale accumulates extremely rapidly and appliances fail quickly without treatment. The PFAS level of 12.1 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis filter — the East Texas Oilfield industrial corridor PFAS and Barksdale Air Force Base (Bossier City LA — AFFF) contribute.
Geology & Source: Kilgore in Gregg County draws from the Kilgore Water Division on the Sabine River and local groundwater (Gregg County, northeast Texas) — the Sabine River at Gregg receives Permian East Texas Basin saline brine intrusion and Eocene Claiborne Group calcareous drainage — Texas Gregg County Sabine River East Texas Basin evaporitic calcareous supply produces extremely hard water at 430 mg/L with TDS 1362.5 mg/L.