Water hardness in Midland
29.2 gpg very hard
Tap water in Midland is very hard: 29.2 gpg (500 mg/L · 28 °dH · 50 °fH).
Source: City of Midland, Water Quality FAQ (What is the hardness of Midland water in grains per gallon?) (2026) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 400–600 mg/L.
Midland buys surface water from reservoirs of the Colorado River Municipal Water District and supplements it with groundwater from its T-Bar Ranch wellfield. West Texas groundwater and reservoirs dissolve gypsum and limestone, giving extremely hard water, estimated here at 500 mg/L CaCO₃ (400–600 mg/L). Scale is severe; a softener is essentially a necessity.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 29.2 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Midland Water Utilities |
How Midland compares
- Tap water in Midland is 222 % harder than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 13 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 99 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Texas it is number 1 of 60 cities; the regional median is 8.6 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 Midland
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 28 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 6 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S4 |
| LG | H4 |
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 Midland water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 500 mg/L as CaCO₃ (29.2 gpg, 28 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Midland 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 Midland water?
29.2 gpg, equal to 28 °dH, 50 °fH or 500 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Midland?
For 500 mg/L (28 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Midland?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: City of Midland, Water Quality FAQ (What is the hardness of Midland water in grains per gallon?) (2026). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. City of Midland, Water Quality FAQ (What is the hardness of Midland water in grains per gallon?) · Outdated figure? Tell us