Stafford Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
23.8 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
1261.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$1.00
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 Stafford, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Stafford | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3 yrs | 12 yrs | -75% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Stafford compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Stafford, Texas | 407.5 mg/L | 11.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Missouri City, Texas | 183.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Sugar Land, Texas | 155 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Alief, Texas | 145 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Four Corners, Texas | 311.5 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Stafford compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Stafford | 407.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Stafford's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Stafford, Texas, in Fort Bend County — a Fort Bend County city adjacent to Sugar Land and Missouri City, in the southwest Houston metro corridor at the Fort Bend County line — receives its municipal water from Fort Bend County Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs), drawing from the City of Houston supply (Lake Livingston, Trinity River) or from Brazos River Authority sources combined with local wells.
The extremely hard 407.5 mg/L hardness and very high TDS of 1261.3 mg/L are among the highest in the dataset — reflecting the Fort Bend County MUD supply character, which may include a significant deep Miocene Evangeline or Jasper Aquifer groundwater component alongside the surface supply. The deep Gulf Coast confined aquifers beneath Fort Bend County carry extreme carbonate and sulfate loading from the Eocene-Miocene Gulf Coastal Plain calcareous-gypsiferous sediment sequence, producing the extraordinary TDS observed.
At 407.5 mg/L with TDS 1,261 mg/L, Stafford's water is extremely hard. A water softener and reverse osmosis drinking water system are essential. Scale forms within hours on surfaces; water heaters, dishwashers, and all appliances have dramatically shortened lifespans. The PFAS level of 11.7 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Ellington Field (Houston, Harris County — AFFF), the Houston Ship Channel petrochemical complex, and the Fort Bend County PFAS industrial legacy contribute to Stafford's very elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Stafford in Fort Bend County draws from Fort Bend County MUDs on the City of Houston supply (Lake Livingston, Trinity River) or deep Miocene Evangeline Aquifer wells (Fort Bend County) — the Gulf Coastal Plain Eocene-Miocene calcareous-gypsiferous sediment produces extremely hard water at 407.5 mg/L with very high TDS 1261 mg/L in this Fort Bend County Texas city.