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 |
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.