North Richland Hills Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
876.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 North Richland Hills, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In North Richland Hills | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How North Richland Hills compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Richland Hills, Texas | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 139.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Watauga, Texas | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 145.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Haltom City, Texas | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 278.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hurst, Texas | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 80.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Bedford, Texas | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 160.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How North Richland Hills compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Richland Hills | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes North Richland Hills's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of North Richland Hills operates the municipal water utility serving approximately 70,000 residents in Tarrant County, Texas, within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Water is purchased as treated surface water from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), primarily drawn from Lavon Lake via the Ray Roberts Lake Raw Water System. Treatment at NTMWD facilities involves biological filtration, conventional filtration, chloramination, and ozone disinfection before distribution through the city's infrastructure.
Lavon Lake lies in the Trinity River watershed, draining agricultural and urban lands in Collin and Hunt Counties. The geology features Cretaceous limestone formations such as the Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford Shale, which dissolve to impart a hard character through natural mineral leaching. The supply's mineral profile is dominated by the lake's interaction with carbonate-rich Prairie Surface Aquifer outcrops, yielding moderately mineralised water prone to hardness-related issues.
Hard water promotes scale buildup from calcium and magnesium deposits, most affecting water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and plumbing fixtures, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Maintenance tips include regular flushing of hot water heaters, installing drain screens, and using vinegar soaks for faucets. A water softener is recommended for households with noticeable spotting on glassware, dry skin, or appliance issues. The 2026 water quality report indicates compliance with EPA standards, with treatment using chloramines and ozone; minor concerns exist for 13 contaminants above health guidelines, including potential haloacetic acids from disinfection.
Geology & Source: Trinity River watershed; Cretaceous Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford Shale — carbonate-rich limestone and dolomite layers dissolve calcium and magnesium, producing hard water typical of North Texas
Other Texas Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Richland Hills's water safe to drink?
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How does North Richland Hills compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for North Richland Hills is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
Water Hardness
Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
TDS — Total Dissolved Solids
Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.
PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.
Lead
Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Appliance Lifespan
Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.