Water hardness in Kyle
16.6 gpg very hard
Tap water in Kyle is very hard: 16.6 gpg (285 mg/L · 16 °dH · 28.5 °fH).
Source: City of Kyle 2025 Water Quality Report (2025) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 275–295 mg/L.
The City of Kyle's 2025 water quality report gives total hardness of 275 to 295 mg/L (about 16.7 gpg at the 285 mg/L midpoint) for the city's groundwater system. That is very hard water: expect white scale on kettles, fixtures and in water heaters, and consider a softener. The report prints a range rather than a single average, so the page shows the midpoint.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 16.6 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Kyle Public Works (groundwater system) |
How Kyle compares
- Tap water in Kyle is 84 % harder than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 282 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 79 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Texas it is number 8 of 60 cities; the regional median is 8.6 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Austin, 34 km away (5.4 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Kyle
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H3 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Kyle water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 285 mg/L as CaCO₃ (16.6 gpg, 16 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Kyle safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Kyle water?
16.6 gpg, equal to 16 °dH, 28.5 °fH or 285 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Kyle?
For 285 mg/L (16 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Kyle?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: City of Kyle 2025 Water Quality Report (2025). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. City of Kyle 2025 Water Quality Report · Outdated figure? Tell us