Yes, Houston has hard water. Very hard water, in most areas.
If you've noticed white crusty buildup on your faucets, water spots on your glass shower doors, or that your skin feels dry no matter how much lotion you use — that's hard water at work.
Houston's water hardness ranges from 8 to 17+ grains per gallon depending on where you live. For context, anything over 10 GPG is considered "very hard." West Houston is particularly brutal — some neighborhoods have hardness levels among the highest in the entire country.
This guide covers why Houston water is so hard, what it's actually doing to your home, and your options for dealing with it.
Why Is Houston Water So Hard?
Most of Houston's drinking water comes from groundwater — wells and aquifers beneath the surface. As that water travels through underground rock formations, it picks up minerals along the way. Specifically, calcium and magnesium.
Houston sits on top of massive calcium and magnesium deposits. The water flowing through these formations dissolves those minerals and carries them straight into your home.
Here's a simple way to think about it: you've got tons of dissolved rock coming through your plumbing. That calcium and magnesium doesn't just disappear — it builds up. On your fixtures. Inside your pipes. On your water heater elements. In your appliances.
That buildup is called scale. And over time, it causes real problems.
Houston Water Hardness by Area
Not all Houston neighborhoods are equally hard. West Houston tends to be the worst, while areas closer to surface water sources can be slightly softer.
Here's a general breakdown:
| Area | Hardness (GPG) | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Katy | 10-14 | Very Hard |
| Cypress | 10-15 | Very Hard |
| Fulshear | 12-17 | Very Hard |
| Richmond/Rosenberg | 11-15 | Very Hard |
| Sugar Land | 9-12 | Hard to Very Hard |
| Missouri City | 9-12 | Hard to Very Hard |
| Pearland | 9-13 | Hard to Very Hard |
| The Woodlands | 8-11 | Hard |
| Spring | 8-11 | Hard |
| Tomball | 10-13 | Very Hard |
| Humble | 9-12 | Hard to Very Hard |
| League City | 10-14 | Very Hard |
| Clear Lake | 8-11 | Hard |
| Inner Loop Houston | 7-10 | Hard |
| Conroe | 8-11 | Hard |
For reference, the hardness scale:
- 0-3 GPG: Soft
- 3-7 GPG: Moderately Hard
- 7-10 GPG: Hard
- 10+ GPG: Very Hard
West Houston — Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, Richmond — consistently tests at the high end. If you live in these areas, you're dealing with some of the hardest water in Texas, and frankly, some of the hardest in the country.
Note: Actual hardness varies by specific water district and can fluctuate seasonally. A water test at your home gives you the exact number.
Signs You Have Hard Water
Not sure if hard water is affecting your home? Here's what to look for:
In your bathroom:
- White crusty buildup on faucets and showerheads
- Water spots and film on glass shower doors
- Soap scum that won't quit no matter how often you clean
- Reduced water pressure from clogged aerators
On your body:
- Dry, itchy skin after showering
- Hair that feels dull, waxy, or hard to manage
- Soap and shampoo that don't lather well
In your kitchen:
- Spots on dishes and glasses — even right out of the dishwasher
- White residue in your coffee maker or kettle
- Cloudy film on stainless steel
In your laundry:
- Towels that feel stiff and scratchy
- Clothes that look dingy or faded faster than they should
- Using more detergent but getting worse results
In your home systems:
- Scale buildup visible in toilet bowls
- Reduced water heater efficiency
- Appliances failing earlier than expected
If you're checking multiple boxes, you're not imagining things. That's hard water.
What Hard Water Is Actually Costing You
Hard water isn't a health hazard. Calcium and magnesium are minerals — they won't make you sick.
But hard water is expensive. It's just a slow bleed that most people don't notice until something breaks.
The Real Cost Breakdown
Water heater efficiency: Scale buildup on heating elements acts like insulation. Your water heater has to work harder to heat the same amount of water. Studies show hard water can reduce water heater efficiency by up to 29%. That's $150-300 per year in extra energy costs — and it shortens the lifespan of the unit.
Appliance replacement: Dishwashers, washing machines, and ice makers all suffer from scale buildup. Hard water can reduce appliance lifespan by 30-50%. You're replacing a $800 dishwasher every 5-7 years instead of every 10-12.
Plumbing damage: Scale accumulates inside pipes over time, reducing water flow and eventually causing blockages. Pipe repairs and replacements are expensive — and preventable.
Extra soap and detergent: Hard water doesn't lather well. Most people compensate by using more soap, more shampoo, more laundry detergent. That adds up to $150-200 per year.
Cleaning products: Descalers, CLR, lime-away, extra scrubbing time. Hard water creates more cleaning work and more product expense.
The Math
| Impact | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Water heater inefficiency | $150-300 |
| Appliance wear and replacement | $200-400 |
| Extra soap/detergent | $150-200 |
| Plumbing repairs | $100-300 |
| Cleaning supplies | $50-100 |
| Total | $650-1,300/year |
Over 10 years, that's $6,500-13,000 in hard water damage.
A water softener pays for itself in 2-4 years, then it's pure savings from there.
What Most People Don't Realize
Here's something that surprises most homeowners:
99% of hospitals, schools, and commercial buildings in Houston have water softeners.
Think about that. Any building that cares about protecting its plumbing, equipment, and operating costs has soft water. Hotels, restaurants, medical facilities, schools — they all invest in water treatment because the math makes sense.
Your home is likely the biggest investment you'll ever make. The plumbing and appliances inside it represent tens of thousands of dollars. Protecting that investment with a water softener isn't an expense — it's a decision that almost always saves money in the long run.
Hard Water vs. Soft Water: What Changes
| With Hard Water | With Soft Water |
|---|---|
| White crusty buildup on fixtures | Fixtures stay clean |
| Soap scum on shower doors | Glass rinses clean |
| Dry, itchy skin | Skin feels smoother |
| Dull, hard-to-manage hair | Hair feels softer, lighter |
| Stiff, scratchy towels | Soft, fluffy laundry |
| Spots on dishes and glasses | Spot-free results |
| Scale in pipes and water heater | No mineral buildup |
| Appliances work harder, fail sooner | Appliances run efficiently, last longer |
| More soap/detergent needed | Use up to 50% less product |
The difference is noticeable immediately. Most people say they can feel it in the shower on day one.
Your Options for Treating Hard Water
Option 1: Salt-Based Water Softener (Ion Exchange)
How it works: Water flows through a tank filled with resin beads. The beads attract and hold calcium and magnesium ions, releasing sodium ions in exchange. The result is soft water throughout your home.
Pros:
- Actually removes hardness minerals
- Dramatic, immediate results
- Proven technology used for decades
- Protects plumbing and appliances
Cons:
- Requires salt refills (every 6-8 weeks typically)
- Uses water during regeneration cycle
- Adds small amount of sodium to water (not significant for most people)
Best for: Most Houston homes, especially those with 10+ GPG hardness
Cost: $2,000-3,000 installed
Option 2: Salt-Free Water Conditioner (TAC)
How it works: Template Assisted Crystallization changes the structure of hardness minerals so they don't stick to surfaces. The minerals are still in the water, but they pass through without forming scale.
Pros:
- No salt to buy or add
- No water waste from regeneration
- Lower maintenance
Cons:
- Doesn't actually remove minerals — water still "tests" hard
- Less effective at very high hardness levels (12+ GPG)
- Won't give you the "soft water feel" in the shower
Best for: Homes with moderate hardness (under 10 GPG) or those who can't use salt for health reasons
Cost: $1,500-3,000 installed
Option 3: Reverse Osmosis (Drinking Water Only)
How it works: Forces water through a membrane that removes 95%+ of dissolved solids, including hardness minerals.
Pros:
- Excellent water quality for drinking and cooking
- Removes contaminants beyond just hardness
Cons:
- Only treats one tap (usually kitchen sink)
- Doesn't help showers, laundry, or appliances
- Not a whole-home solution
Best for: Adding pure drinking water to a softener setup, or renters who can't install whole-home treatment
Cost: $800-1,200 installed (under-sink unit)
Option 4: Do Nothing
Hard water won't hurt your health. If you're renting short-term or planning to move soon, you might decide to live with it.
Budget tip: White vinegar removes scale buildup. Soak showerheads and faucet aerators monthly. Run vinegar through your coffee maker. It won't stop the damage, but it manages the symptoms.
Water Softener vs. Water Filter: What's the Difference?
This confuses a lot of people. They're not the same thing.
| Water Softener | Water Filter | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Removes hardness minerals | Removes contaminants |
| What it treats | Calcium, magnesium | Chlorine, chloramine, sediment, chemicals |
| Result | Soft water, no scale | Better taste, cleaner water |
| Helps with buildup? | Yes | No |
| Helps with dry skin? | Yes (mineral removal) | Somewhat (chloramine removal) |
Many Houston homes benefit from both — a softener for the hardness, plus a carbon filter for chloramine and taste. That's why our most popular package combines the two.
For more on what's in Houston water beyond hardness, see our Houston Water Quality Guide.
How to Test Your Water Hardness
DIY Option: Test Strips
Available at hardware stores or Amazon for $10-15. Dip the strip in water, match the color to the chart. Quick but not precise — gives you a general range.
DIY Option: The Soap Test
Fill a clear bottle 1/3 with water. Add a few drops of dish soap. Shake vigorously.
- Lots of suds, clear water below: Soft water
- Few suds, cloudy or milky water: Hard water
It's crude, but it works for a quick check.
Professional Testing
A proper water test measures exact hardness in GPG, plus other parameters like TDS, chlorine, and pH. Most water treatment companies — including us — offer free water testing. No obligation, just information.
The Bottom Line
Houston has hard water. That's not changing.
What you do about it depends on your situation. If you're noticing the signs — buildup, dry skin, spotty dishes, appliances struggling — a water softener addresses the root cause and protects your home.
There's a reason virtually every hospital, school, and commercial building in Houston has soft water. The math works. For most homeowners, it works too.
If you want to know your exact hardness level and see what your options are, we offer free water testing. No pressure, no obligation — just information so you can make the right call for your home.
Last updated: January 2026
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