Schertz Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
394 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Schertz, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Schertz | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Schertz compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Schertz, Texas | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Universal City, Texas | 251 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Cibolo, Texas | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Converse, Texas | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Live Oak, Texas | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Schertz compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Schertz | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Schertz's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Schertz Water Department serves the city of Schertz in Guadalupe, Bexar, and Comal counties, Texas, providing drinking water to over 40,000 residents. Water is sourced entirely from groundwater wells in the Schertz-Seguin Well Field and Naco Well 1, drawing from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. There are no surface water treatment plants; the supply undergoes standard groundwater treatment including disinfection and corrosion control at wellhead facilities, with chloramination used for disinfection, before distribution across the service area.
The Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer underlies Central Texas and consists of sandstone and shale formations from the Eocene epoch, Paleogene period. The Edwards Plateau region's groundwater recharge zone feeds this aquifer through permeable sands and clays, which interact with limestone and evaporitic deposits. This geology results in naturally elevated levels of calcium and magnesium, shaping the supply's moderately mineralised chemistry without the dilution effects of rainfall or rivers.
At moderately hard levels, scale buildup occurs in pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Laundry may feel stiff, and soap lathering is less effective. Regular descaling of coffee makers and faucets is advised, along with using additional detergent. A water softener is recommended for households to prevent mineral deposits and extend appliance life. The 2024 Drinking Water Quality Report confirms compliance with EPA and TCEQ standards, with no violations for lead, copper, or other primary contaminants; treatment includes chloramination for disinfection.
Geology & Source: Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, Central Texas; Eocene sandstone and shale — calcium and magnesium from limestone interactions produce moderately hard groundwater
Other Texas Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Schertz's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Schertz?
How does Schertz compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Schertz is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.