Santa Fe Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.5 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
328.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.39
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 Santa Fe, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Santa Fe | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -44% |
| Washing Machine | 8.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -32% |
| Water Heater | 9.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Santa Fe compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Santa Fe, Texas | 146 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Dickinson, Texas | 207 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| League City, Texas | 417.5 mg/L | 11.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| La Marque, Texas | 178.5 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Alvin, Texas | 194 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Santa Fe compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Santa Fe | 146 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Santa Fe's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Santa Fe, Texas, in Galveston County — a Galveston County city adjacent to Texas City and League City in southeast Texas — receives its water from the City of Santa Fe Water, drawing from the Gulf Coast Aquifer or Brazos River supply (Galveston County) through the southeast Texas distribution.
The hard 146 mg/L hardness and TDS of 328.2 mg/L reflect the southeast Texas Galveston County Gulf Coast Aquifer supply's hard calcareous character — the Pleistocene Beaumont Formation and Pliocene Goliad Formation calcareous contacts contribute significant hardness, compounded by the semi-arid southeast Texas evaporative concentration typical of the Gulf Coast Aquifer communities (compare Beeville TX: 157.5 mg/L; League City TX: ~140 mg/L on the same Galveston County coastal supply). The Gulf Coast Aquifer at Galveston County — Pliocene Goliad Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Pleistocene Beaumont Formation (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Holocene coastal alluvium (slightly calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 146 mg/L with TDS 328, Santa Fe's water is hard. A water softener is recommended to prevent scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 6.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Galveston County southeast Texas petrochemical corridor contribute to Santa Fe's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Santa Fe in Galveston County draws from the City of Santa Fe Water on the Gulf Coast Aquifer or Brazos River supply (Galveston County, southeast Texas) — the Gulf Coast Aquifer at Galveston County is developed in Pleistocene Beaumont Formation (slightly calcareous) and Pliocene Goliad Formation (calcareous) — Texas Galveston County Gulf Coast Aquifer Pleistocene-Pliocene calcareous supply produces hard water at 146 mg/L with TDS 328.2 mg/L.