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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Vernon (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Vernon Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

8.1

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

3040 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · 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 Vernon, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Vernon	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 Vernon compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Vernon, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Altus, Oklahoma	≈ 120–179 mg/L	17.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Burkburnett, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	26.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Wichita Falls, Texas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	161 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Lawton, Oklahoma	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Vernon compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Vernon	≈ 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 Vernon's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 3040 mg/LpH: 8.1

The City of Vernon draws its drinking water from groundwater sources, primarily from well fields tapping the Seymour Aquifer in Northern Wilbarger County. This aquifer is the main water supply for the community, serving residents of Vernon, which is situated in Wilbarger County within the Texas Panhandle region. The Vernon Water Department manages this vital supply, ensuring water reaches homes and businesses.

The Seymour Aquifer is a significant geological feature, dating back to the Permian age. It consists mainly of sandstones and shales, a common characteristic of the Texas Panhandle's underground geology. This specific geological makeup means the groundwater naturally picks up a substantial amount of dissolved minerals, especially calcium and magnesium compounds. These minerals are the reason the water in Vernon is known to be hard, a trait shared across much of this part of Texas.

Homeowners in Vernon will likely notice the effects of hard water, such as scale buildup forming inside water heaters and mineral deposits on faucets and showerheads. You might also find that soaps and detergents don't lather as effectively. To combat these issues and help your appliances last longer, installing a water softening system is often a good idea. For the most up-to-date details on your water quality, including any specific contaminants and the city's treatment methods, it's best to check the City of Vernon's latest Consumer Confidence Report.

Geology & Source: Seymour Aquifer; Permian sandstones and shales yield water high in calcium and magnesium carbonates, creating hard water

Other Texas Water Reports

Altus

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Burkburnett

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Wichita Falls

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Lawton

≈ 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 Vernon's water safe to drink?

Yes. Vernon's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Vernon?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Vernon'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 20%.

How does Vernon compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Vernon (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Vernon 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.