Richmond Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15.4 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
694.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.70
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 Richmond, your appliances are currently losing 35% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Richmond | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -68% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Richmond compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Richmond, Texas | 264 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Pecan Grove, Texas | 362 mg/L | 10.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Rosenberg, Texas | 70.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | mixed |
| New Territory, Texas | 212 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Greatwood, Texas | 349.5 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Richmond compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Richmond | 264 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Richmond's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Richmond, Texas, in Fort Bend County — a Fort Bend County city adjacent to Rosenberg and Sugar Land on the Brazos River in southeast Texas — receives its water from Fort Bend County Municipal Utility Districts or the City of Richmond Water, drawing from the Brazos River and local groundwater wells through the southeast Texas Gulf Coast distribution.
The very hard 264 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 694.4 mg/L reflect the Fort Bend County Gulf Coast supply's very hard calcareous character — the Quaternary Beaumont Formation and Pleistocene Lissie Formation coastal plain sediments are calcareous throughout, and the Brazos River carries a substantial dissolved mineral load from its traverse across the Texas interior (compare Sugar Land TX: 260/685 in Fort Bend County comparable; Rosenberg TX: 262/690 in Fort Bend County comparable; Richmond consistent very hard from the same Fort Bend County Brazos River Gulf Coastal Plain supply). The Gulf Coastal Plain at Fort Bend County — Quaternary Beaumont Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Pleistocene Lissie Formation (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Holocene Brazos alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 264 mg/L with TDS 694, Richmond's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking to reduce TDS. The PFAS level of 8.7 ppt is elevated — a certified drinking water filter is strongly recommended — the Fort Bend County southeast Texas petrochemical and industrial corridor contribute to Richmond's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Richmond in Fort Bend County draws from Fort Bend County MUD on the Brazos River (Fort Bend County, southeast Texas) — the Gulf Coastal Plain at Fort Bend County is underlain by Quaternary Beaumont Formation (calcareous) and Pleistocene Lissie Formation (calcareous) — Texas Fort Bend County Brazos River Gulf Coastal Plain Quaternary calcareous supply produces very hard water at 264 mg/L with TDS 694.4 mg/L.