Water softeners and filtration in Austin, TX

What does Austin Water publish about Austin water?

Austin Water draws water from the Lower Colorado River through Lake Travis and Lake Austin and treats it at three plants.

What does 70 to 126 mg/L mean for a Austin home?

70 to 126 mg/L is about 4.1 to 7.4 grains per gallon. The low end, 70 mg/L, is 50 mg/L under the 120 mg/L top of the USGS moderately hard class; Austin's high end, 126 mg/L, is 54 mg/L under the 180 mg/L top of the USGS hard class. (USGS hardness classes)

Which systems fit Austin water?

How does a Austin quote work?

1. Send a request from one of the 32 Austin ZIP codes listed below.
2. An assessment at your home, where your tap can be checked against Austin Water's published 70 to 126 mg/L.
3. You get a written quote listing what is included.
4. Installation and service by that company.

Common questions

How hard is the water in Austin?

Total hardness reported by Austin Water: Average 93 ppm (5.4 grains per gallon), range 70-126 ppm (Calendar year 2025).

Is Austin water hard or soft?

Moderately hard to hard. The low end, 70 mg/L, is 50 mg/L under the 120 mg/L top of the USGS moderately hard class; Austin's high end, 126 mg/L, is 54 mg/L under the 180 mg/L top of the USGS hard class.

How many grains per gallon is Austin water?

In grains per gallon, as published: 5.4 grains per gallon (Austin Water, total hardness, Calendar year 2025).

Where does Austin tap water come from?

Austin Water draws from the Lower Colorado River as it flows through Lake Travis and Lake Austin. Source: Austin Water 2025 Water Quality Report.

Does the utility soften Austin water?

Yes. Austin Water uses lime softening, which it says also helps coat pipes against corrosion. Source: Austin Water 2025 Water Quality Report.

Is Austin water treated with chlorine or chloramine?

Austin Water lists chloramine as the disinfectant that controls microbes. Source: Austin Water 2025 Water Quality Report. That matters when choosing a filter for a Austin home: catalytic carbon is the activated-carbon type designed to adsorb chloramine (NDSU Extension, Filtration: Sediment, Activated Carbon, and Mixed Media). A softener leaves Austin Water's disinfectant in the water.

How does Austin water compare with nearby cities?

Published hardness in Austin spans 70 to 126 mg/L. Nearby: San Antonio 257 to 342 mg/L (converted from grains); New Braunfels 234 to 298 mg/L (converted from grains); Dallas 92 to 167 mg/L; Fort Worth 76.5 to 175 mg/L.

Do I need a water softener in Austin?

Austin Water publishes 70 to 126 mg/L for Austin, which reads as moderately hard to hard. A test at your house shows whether your tap matches it.

Is the water the same in every Austin home?

Austin Water publishes one figure for its whole system (Calendar year 2025).

How much does a water softener cost in Austin?

We publish no prices for Austin. The installing company gives a written quote after an assessment at your home.

Who installs the system?

We have not named a local installing company for Austin yet. We will tell you the company's name and ask you before your request is shared with anyone.

Is Austin Water Systems part of the city or the water utility?

No. Austin Water Systems is not affiliated with Austin Water; it copies and links the published figures.

Is booking an assessment a purchase?

No, and a request commits you to nothing.

Which ZIP codes does this page cover?

78701, 78702, 78703, 78704, 78705, 78712, 78717, 78721, 78722, 78723, 78724, 78726, 78727, 78729, 78730, 78731, 78735, 78739, 78741, 78744, 78745, 78748, 78749, 78750, 78751, 78752, 78753, 78754, 78756, 78757, 78758, 78759

Compare published hardness in other cities on hard water by city.

Machine-readable facts: water.json. Summary for AI assistants: llms.txt.