Water Hardness in Oklahoma Cities

Water Hardness in Oklahoma Cities

Water hardness in Oklahoma, defined by the concentration of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, can vary significantly across the state due to its diverse geological landscapes. Located in the south-central region of the U.S., Oklahoma’s water hardness levels are mixed, reflecting the assortment of geological features within its borders.

Across Oklahoma, the water hardness can range from fairly soft to quite hard, depending on the geology of the area and the source of the water supply. For instance, areas overlying the Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer might have softer water, owing to the rapid movement of water through less mineral-rich strata. In contrast, regions with harder water are often underlain by limestone and other mineral-bearing formations, such as those found in parts of the Osage Plains, leading to higher concentrations of dissolved minerals.

The variation in water hardness throughout Oklahoma impacts not only the taste and aesthetics of the water but also influences the effectiveness of soaps and detergents, plumbing maintenance, and the durability of appliances that use water. Because of the state’s considerable geological diversity, water hardness is not uniform, which highlights the necessity for localized water treatment solutions and continuous monitoring of water quality.

The following data indicates a specific account of water hardness in Norman, Oklahoma, measured at 85.5 ppm (parts per million) or 5.0 gpg (Grains Per Gallon). In Verdigris and Bristow, the water hardness is recorded at 32.7 ppm (1.9 gpg) and 39.8 ppm (2.3 gpg), respectively. Contrastingly, the water hardness level in Perkins is reported to be 36.7 ppm or 2.1 gpg. However, detailed water hardness information is not available for many other cities in Oklahoma, such as Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Edmond.

City Hardness ppm (mg/L) Hardness gpg Information Source Notes
Oklahoma City n/a n/a Link
Tulsa n/a n/a Link
Norman 85.5 5.0 Link
Broken Arrow n/a n/a Link Purchases from Tulsa
Edmond n/a n/a Link
Lawton n/a n/a Link
Moore n/a n/a Link Purchases from Oklahoma City
Midwest City n/a n/a Link Alkalinity only
Enid n/a n/a Link
Stillwater n/a n/a Link
Owasso n/a n/a Link Buys from Tulsa
Bartlesville n/a n/a Link
Muskogee n/a n/a Link
Shawnee n/a n/a Link
Bixby n/a n/a Link Purchases from Tulsa
Jenks n/a n/a Link Purchases from Tulsa
Ardmore n/a n/a Link
Yukon n/a n/a Link Purchases from Okalhoma City
Ponca City n/a n/a Link
Duncan n/a n/a Link Water Dept website doesn’t have CCR
Sapulpa n/a n/a Link
Del City n/a n/a Link Doesn’t appear to have online CCR
Mustang n/a n/a Link Buys from Oklahoma City
Bethany n/a n/a Link
Sand Springs n/a n/a Link
Claremore n/a n/a Link
Durant n/a n/a Link
Altus n/a n/a Link
McAlester n/a n/a Link
El Reno n/a n/a Link Buys from Oklahoma City
Ada n/a n/a Link
Tahlequah n/a n/a Link
Chickasha n/a n/a Link
Glenpool n/a n/a Link Purchases from Tulsa
Miami n/a n/a Link
Guymon n/a n/a Link
Choctaw n/a n/a Link
Newcastle n/a n/a Link Purchases from Oklahoma City
Woodward n/a n/a Link
Weatherford n/a n/a Link
Elk City n/a n/a Link
Okmulgee n/a n/a Link
Guthrie n/a n/a Link
Warr Acres n/a n/a Link Buys from Oklahoma City
Coweta n/a n/a Link
The Village n/a n/a Link Buys from Oklahoma City
Pryor Creek n/a n/a Link
Blanchard n/a n/a Link Purchases from Oklahoma City
Poteau n/a n/a Link
Skiatook n/a n/a Link Primarily purchases from Tulsa
Sallisaw n/a n/a Link
Clinton n/a n/a Link Don’t appear to have online CCR, EPA CCR search didn’t bring up anything
Collinsville n/a n/a Link
Cushing n/a n/a Link
Piedmont n/a n/a Link Purchases from Oklahoma City
Wagoner n/a n/a Link Purchases from Tulsa via Bixby
Tuttle n/a n/a Link Purchases from Oklahoma City via Newcastle
Catoosa n/a n/a Link No online CCR, EPA CCR search brough up nothing either.
Noble n/a n/a Link
Seminole n/a n/a Link
Grove n/a n/a Link
Idabel n/a n/a Link
Purcell n/a n/a Link
Harrah n/a n/a Link
Tecumseh n/a n/a Link
Blackwell n/a n/a Link
Pauls Valley n/a n/a Link
Anadarko n/a n/a Link
Holdenville n/a n/a Link
Henryetta n/a n/a Link
Verdigris 32.7 1.9 Link As calcium
Vinita n/a n/a Link Water utility doesn’t have an online presence
Hugo n/a n/a Link
Lone Grove n/a n/a Link No online presence, EPA CCR search also didn’t turn up anything
Alva n/a n/a Link
Sulphur n/a n/a Link
Kingfisher n/a n/a Link
Perry n/a n/a Link
Marlow n/a n/a Link
Sayre n/a n/a Link
Pocola n/a n/a Link
Bristow 39.8 2.3 Link As Calcium
Broken Bow n/a n/a Link
Slaughterville n/a n/a Link Covered under Oklahoma City
McLoud n/a n/a Link Water department doesn’t have an online presence, just recommends calling city hall for more info. EPA CCR search also didn’t bring up anything.
Madill n/a n/a Link
Spencer n/a n/a Link Website for water reports is blank. Might be part of Oklahoma City based on map but I”m not certain
Nichols Hills n/a n/a Link
Fort Gibson n/a n/a Link
Elgin n/a n/a Link
Stilwell n/a n/a Link
Frederick n/a n/a Link
Roland n/a n/a Link City website only has directory information for head of water dept. Found a NYT toxic waters report on Roland but that is the most recent.
Nowata n/a n/a Link
Dewey n/a n/a Link Buys from Bartlesville
Hobart n/a n/a Link
Muldrow n/a n/a Link City doesn’t have online presence (https://www.citydirectory.us/town-muldrow.html), but found a NYT toxic waters report for it.
Perkins 36.7 2.1 Link As Calcium
Mannford n/a n/a Link Don’t appear to have online CCR. EPA search also turned up nothing.
Hominy n/a n/a Link
Top 100 Oklahoma cities by population and their reported water hardness
ppm = Parts Per Million
mg/L = Milligrams Per Liter
gpg = Grains Per Gallon

Hard water can cause issues such as mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances, reduce the efficacy of soaps and detergents, and affect the taste of the water. A tried and true solution is the use of a water softener. A water softener, like the ones from DROP, could be a worthwhile investment.

These devices work by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness with sodium ions, resulting in softer water. With innovative features, easy installation, and efficient operation, DROP smart water softeners provide a solution to hard water issues, extending the lifespan of appliances, improving water taste, enhancing soap effectiveness, reducing scale build-up, and increasing the overall water efficiency in your home.

Back to blog