Wichita Falls Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Wichita Falls Public Water Utility serves 104,898 residents across Wichita County, Texas. Water sources include Lakes Arrowhead and Kickapoo, blended at a 75-million-gallon Secondary Reservoir feeding conventional treatment plants, and Lake Kemp (via Lake Diversion) feeding a Micro-Filtration/Reverse Osmosis plant. Treatment involves lime softening for carbonate hardness removal, flocculation, coagulation, and reverse osmosis for brackish Lake Kemp water using 0.0001-micron membranes — technology comparable to seawater desalination — ensuring treated water meets quality standards across the distribution area.

The Wichita River watershed supplies these reservoirs, shaped by Pennsylvanian limestone bedrock and Cretaceous sedimentary deposits that dissolve calcium and magnesium into surface water. Lake Kemp exhibits slightly brackish characteristics from saline subsurface influences of Permian formations, requiring advanced desalination treatment. The overall moderately mineralised character stems from carbonate rock leaching across the basin, yielding a hard supply prone to mineral accumulation that is partially addressed through lime softening at the treatment facilities.

Moderately hard water causes subtle scale buildup in pipes, reduced soap lathering, and faint spots on dishes, with water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and faucets most affected. Annual maintenance costs rise from mineral deposits shortening appliance life; regular descaling with vinegar, installing drain screens, and using rinse aids are recommended. A whole-house softener is advised for full protection against skin dryness and plumbing issues. The 2023 Water Quality Report rates the supply as superior by Texas standards, with turbidity at 0.29 NTU and copper at 0.04394 ppm confirming compliance — though three contaminants including arsenic, hexavalent chromium, and chloroform exceed EPA MCLGs.