How does Red Oak's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Red Oak (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Red Oak Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

351.6 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Red Oak, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Red Oak	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 Red Oak compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Red Oak, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	112.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Glenn Heights, Texas	≈ 180+ mg/L	57.6 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
Lancaster, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	118.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
DeSoto, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	106 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Waxahachie, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	112.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Red Oak compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Red Oak	≈ 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 Red Oak's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 351.6 mg/LpH: 7.9

The City of Red Oak Water Utility provides water to residents in Ellis County, Texas. This supply comes from a mix of sources: surface water drawn from the Trinity River watershed and local groundwater aquifers. The utility operates treatment plants that process this raw water, ensuring it meets safety standards before reaching homes. Annual Consumer Confidence Reports detail the utility's performance and water quality.

The water's journey begins in aquifers and the Trinity River basin, flowing through ancient geological formations. Specifically, the water interacts with Cretaceous-age limestone and chalk, including the Eagle Ford Group and related carbonate rock layers. This bedrock is the source of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, characteristic of the region and resulting in a hard water supply typical of north-central Texas.

Homeowners in Red Oak will likely notice the effects of this hard water. You'll find mineral buildup on fixtures and inside appliances like coffee makers and water heaters, reducing their efficiency and lifespan. Soap and detergents won't lather as easily, meaning you might need to use more. To combat scale and protect your plumbing, installing a water softener is often recommended. For the most current details on water quality and specific mineral levels, residents should refer to the latest annual report published on the City of Red Oak's website.

Geology & Source: Cretaceous-age limestone and chalk; Eagle Ford Group and associated carbonate deposits contribute to hardness

Other Texas Water Reports

Glenn Heights

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Lancaster

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

DeSoto

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Waxahachie

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Red Oak's water safe to drink?

Yes. Red Oak's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Red Oak?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Red Oak's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Red Oak compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Red Oak (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Red Oak is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.