New Braunfels Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.6 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
332.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.39
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 New Braunfels, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In New Braunfels | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 8.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How New Braunfels compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ New Braunfels, Texas | 147.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Cibolo, Texas | 273 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Seguin, Texas | 251 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Schertz, Texas | 189.5 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Canyon Lake, Texas | 275.5 mg/L | 8.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How New Braunfels compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ New Braunfels | 147.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your New Braunfels home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes New Braunfels's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
New Braunfels, Texas, the Comal County seat in the Texas Hill Country between San Antonio and Austin — famous for its tubing on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers and the Schlitterbahn waterpark — draws its municipal water supply from the Edwards Aquifer and Trinity Aquifer (Glen Rose Formation) via New Braunfels Utilities (NBU), accessing the Comal Springs (the largest springs in Texas, within New Braunfels city limits) and deep Edwards Aquifer wells in the Comal County area. Water hardness in New Braunfels measures 147.5 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
New Braunfels's moderately hard supply reflects the Edwards Aquifer's spring water characteristics. The Comal Springs discharge from the Edwards Group limestone (Cretaceous — the Kainer and Person Formations of the Edwards Aquifer) at the intersection of the Balcones Escarpment fault zone. The Edwards Aquifer limestone at the Comal Springs discharge zone has longer residence time and more complete equilibration than some faster-flowing aquifer zones, but the spring chemistry is naturally moderately hard from the calcareous limestone. The Trinity Aquifer (Glen Rose Formation — Lower Cretaceous calcareous marl and limestone) contribution also adds moderate dissolved calcium. The 147.5 mg/L is notably lower than Temple (318.5 mg/L) on the surface water calcareous drainage, reflecting the Edwards spring's unique water chemistry.
At 147.5 mg/L, New Braunfels residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits after several months — monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is practical maintenance. New Braunfels Utilities consistently delivers water meeting all Texas TCEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Edwards Aquifer and the Trinity Aquifer (Glen Rose Formation) via the New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) — the Texas Hill Country Edwards Plateau limestone and Lower Cretaceous Glen Rose Formation of Comal County; moderately hard supply at 147.5 mg/L — notably softer than many Texas cities — reflecting the Edwards Aquifer's spring-sourced character and the spring water treatment approach.