Red Oak Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
351.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.41
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 Red Oak, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Red Oak | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -47% |
| Washing Machine | 7.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -34% |
| Water Heater | 9.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -37% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Red Oak compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Red Oak, Texas | 154.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Glenn Heights, Texas | 181.5 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Lancaster, Texas | 345.5 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| DeSoto, Texas | 115.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| Waxahachie, Texas | 204 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Red Oak compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Red Oak | 154.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Red Oak's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Red Oak, Texas, in Ellis County — an Ellis County city adjacent to Waxahachie and Midlothian in the south Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex — receives its water from the City of Red Oak Water or a local Municipal Utility District (MUD), drawing from the Trinity River system and supplemental surface water through the north-central Texas distribution.
The hard 154.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 351.6 mg/L reflect the Ellis County Trinity River supply's hard calcareous character — the Cretaceous Eagle Ford Shale and Austin Chalk of the Blackland Prairie are both calcareous formations that contribute dissolved calcium and magnesium to the Trinity watershed (compare Waxahachie TX: 152/345 in Ellis County comparable; Midlothian TX: 156/358 in Ellis County comparable; Red Oak consistent hard from the same Ellis County Trinity River Cretaceous calcareous supply). The Trinity watershed at Ellis County — Cretaceous Eagle Ford Shale (slightly calcareous — minor contributor), Cretaceous Austin Chalk (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Trinity alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 154.5 mg/L with TDS 352, Red Oak's water is hard — scale builds in appliances and fixtures over months. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Ellis County north-central Texas industrial and agricultural corridor contributes to Red Oak's elevated readings. Review the city water department's annual water quality report for the latest data.
Geology & Source: Red Oak in Ellis County draws from the Red Oak Water on the Trinity River (Ellis County, north-central Texas) — the Trinity watershed at Ellis County is underlain by Cretaceous Eagle Ford Shale (slightly calcareous) and Cretaceous Austin Chalk (calcareous) — Texas Ellis County Trinity River Cretaceous calcareous supply produces hard water at 154.5 mg/L with TDS 351.6 mg/L.