Mission Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.1 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
402.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.46
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 Mission, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Mission | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -54% |
| Washing Machine | 7.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -40% |
| Water Heater | 8.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -42% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Mission compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mission, Texas | 172.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Alton, Texas | 189 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| McAllen, Texas | 266 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Hidalgo, Texas | 344.5 mg/L | 10.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Pharr, Texas | 435.5 mg/L | 12.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Mission compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mission | 172.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Mission home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Mission's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Mission, Texas, in Hidalgo County in the Lower Rio Grande Valley — known as the 'Ruby Red Grapefruit Capital' — draws its municipal water supply from the Rio Grande via the City of Mission Water Division, sourcing from the Hidalgo County Irrigation District regional Rio Grande water delivery and local treatment through the Mission Water Treatment Plant in Hidalgo County. The Rio Grande at this reach borders Mexico across the river from Reynosa and Tamaulipas. Water hardness in Mission measures 172.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Mission's hard supply reflects the Rio Grande's accumulated mineral load at the Lower Valley reach, slightly higher than Edinburg (140 mg/L) on the same regional supply system. The Rio Grande by the Hidalgo County reach has collected substantial dissolved minerals from its 1,896-mile journey from the Colorado Rockies through the Chihuahuan Desert: the Texas Big Bend calcareous limestone (Boquillas Formation, Santa Elena Limestone — high carbonate input); the Trans-Pecos gypsum and calcareous evaporite plain (Permian Castile Formation and Rustler Formation gypsiferous evaporites — significant sulfate and calcium contribution); and Rio Conchos tributaries from the Sierra Madre Occidental in Chihuahua. The Lower Rio Grande Valley cities show varying hardness based on treatment optimisation and distribution zone characteristics.
At 172.5 mg/L, Mission residents face regular hard water challenges. Scale deposits form on faucet aerators, showerheads, and appliances within weeks — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is standard maintenance. Dishwashers require rinse-aid, and water heaters benefit from annual inspection. City of Mission Water Division and Hidalgo County Irrigation District consistently deliver water meeting all Texas TCEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Rio Grande via the Hidalgo County Irrigation District regional supply and the City of Mission Water Division — the Rio Grande at the Mission–Hidalgo County reach collects calcareous Chihuahuan Desert Cretaceous limestone, Trans-Pecos calcareous terrain, and Texas–Mexico border calcareous sediment drainage; hard supply at 172.5 mg/L in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.