How does San Benito's water compare to the national average?

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

San Benito Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

1277.1 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 San Benito, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In San Benito	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 San Benito compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ San Benito, Texas	≈ 180+ mg/L	146 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
Harlingen, Texas	288 mg/L	45.5 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
Brownsville, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	222.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Mercedes, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Weslaco, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	82.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How San Benito compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ San Benito	≈ 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 San Benito's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 1277.1 mg/LpH: 8.5

The City of San Benito utility, based at 401 N Sam Houston Blvd, San Benito, TX 78586, serves the city and surrounding areas in Cameron County. It sources surface water treated via conventional methods including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection with chloramines and chlorine dioxide. The Annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) is available via the official city website; contact the utility at 956-361-3800 or emergency line 956-361-3890.

Water originates from the Rio Grande watershed in the Rio Grande Valley, where surface flows interact with Quaternary alluvial sediments and underlying Tertiary formations including the Anahuac and Jackson Groups. These formations contain limestone, calcareous shales, and evaporitic sediments that contribute dissolved calcium, magnesium, and sulfate ions through mineral dissolution. This geology shapes a hard, mineralized profile typical of Lower Rio Grande Valley surface waters.

Very hard water promotes significant scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Fixtures may develop stubborn stains and soap lathering is inefficient, leading to higher detergent use. Regular maintenance such as deliming appliances and installing a water softener is strongly recommended to protect household systems. The City of San Benito's 2026 report indicates 3 contaminants exceeding EPA health-based guidelines (MCLGs); treatment involves conventional processes with chloramines and chlorine dioxide for disinfection — check the official CCR for full compliance and monitoring details.

Geology & Source: Rio Grande Valley; Quaternary alluvial deposits over Miocene-Oligocene Anahuac and Jackson Groups — limestone, calcareous shales, and evaporitic sediments dissolve calcium, magnesium, and sulfate ions, producing hard supply

Other Texas Water Reports

Harlingen

288 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Brownsville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Mercedes

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Weslaco

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 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 San Benito's water safe to drink?

Yes. San Benito'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 San Benito?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), San Benito'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 San Benito compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. San Benito (≈ 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 San Benito 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.