Portland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15.7 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
708.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.71
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 Portland, your appliances are currently losing 36% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Portland | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -69% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Portland compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Portland, Texas | 268 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Corpus Christi, Texas | 183 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Kingsville, Texas | 86.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Beeville, Texas | 206.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Alice, Texas | 143 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Portland compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Portland | 268 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Portland home
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What Makes Portland's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Portland, Texas, in San Patricio County — a San Patricio County city adjacent to Corpus Christi and Aransas Pass on Corpus Christi Bay on the south Texas Gulf Coast — receives its municipal water from the City of Portland Water, drawing from Lake Corpus Christi (Nueces River, San Patricio County) through the Nueces River Authority treatment system.
The very hard 268 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 708.3 mg/L reflect the south Texas Gulf Coast Nueces River supply's intense calcareous character. Lake Corpus Christi impounds the Nueces River draining the South Texas Plains — Cretaceous Georgetown Formation limestone (calcareous), Eocene Wilcox Group calcareous shale (significant hardness contributor), and Gulf Coastal Plain calcareous sediments. The South Texas Plains calcareous sedimentary loading produces the very hard south Texas coast supply.
At 268 mg/L with TDS 708, Portland's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended. Scale builds rapidly on all surfaces, appliance lifespans are significantly shortened, and water heaters require annual descaling without softening. The PFAS level of 8.7 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (San Patricio County — AFFF) and the south Texas Gulf Coast PFAS complex contribute to Portland's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Portland in San Patricio County draws from the City of Portland Water on Lake Corpus Christi (San Patricio County, south Texas coast) — Lake Corpus Christi impounds the Nueces River draining the South Texas Plains (Cretaceous Georgetown limestone, Eocene Wilcox calcareous) and Gulf Coastal Plain — Texas San Patricio County Nueces River coastal calcareous watershed produces very hard water at 268 mg/L with TDS 708.3 mg/L in this San Patricio County Texas city.