How does Roma's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Roma (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

Roma Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.4

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

612.7 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · 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 Roma, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Roma	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	4.7 yrs	8.5 yrs	-45%
Washing Machine	6.6 yrs	12 yrs	-45%
Water Heater	8.3 yrs	15 yrs	-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How Roma compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Roma, Texas	≈ 180+ mg/L	20.9 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
Rio Grande City, Texas	≈ 180+ mg/L	12.9 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
La Homa, Texas	≈ 180+ mg/L	6.7 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	mixed
Alton, Texas	281 mg/L	7.1 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Mission, Texas	≈ 180+ mg/L	27.1 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Roma compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Roma	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 High
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Roma's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 612.7 mg/LpH: 8.4

The City of Roma Water Company supplies water to about 19,125 residents in Roma, Texas. Their single water treatment plant draws from surface water found within the Rio Grande Valley watershed. You can reach Jose A. Vela at 956-847-7006 with questions, or contact the main office at 956-849-1411. Administrative inquiries can be sent to jgarcia@cityofroma.net.

Roma's water originates in the Rio Grande Valley, a region where Quaternary alluvial deposits sit atop Cretaceous limestone and clay formations. This geology, influenced by the Rio Grande watershed flowing through limestone-rich terrain, naturally results in a hard water supply. As water moves through these mineral-rich areas of South Texas, it dissolves significant amounts of calcium and magnesium.

Residents and businesses in Roma will notice substantial scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and appliances due to the very hard water. Soaps and detergents don't lather as effectively, and spotting on dishes is common. To protect plumbing and improve appliance efficiency, a whole-home water softener is highly recommended. The City of Roma WTP treats water to meet EPA and state standards, though a brief turbidity exceedance occurred in November 2025 during maintenance.

Geology & Source: Quaternary alluvial deposits; Cretaceous limestone and clay; limestone-rich geology produces hard water

Other Texas Water Reports

Rio Grande City

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

La Homa

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Alton

281 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Mission

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

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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 Roma's water safe to drink?

Yes. Roma's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Roma?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Roma'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 45%.

How does Roma compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Roma (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Roma 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.