Water softeners and filtration in San Antonio, TX
How hard is San Antonio water?
Typical hardness reported by San Antonio Water System: 15 to 20 grains per gallon (Undated FAQ page).
Very hard San Antonio Water System's figures for San Antonio read as very hard on the USGS scale (grains converted at 17.1 mg/L per grain).
Source: SAWS water quality FAQs. Sources last checked October 26, 2026.
What does San Antonio Water System publish about San Antonio water?
San Antonio Water System (SAWS) serves about 2 million people in Bexar County and parts of Medina and Atascosa counties.
| Measure | As published | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical hardness | 15 to 20 grains per gallon | Undated FAQ page | SAWS water quality FAQs |
- SAWS water comes from the Edwards, Carrizo, Simsboro, Trinity and Wilcox aquifers, and some areas also get surface water from Canyon Lake.
- SAWS's 2026 annual report does not list hardness. It reports a free chlorine residual averaging 1.46 ppm in 2025.
What does 257 to 342 mg/L mean for a San Antonio home?
257 to 342 mg/L is about 15.0 to 20.0 grains per gallon. The low end, 257 mg/L, is 77 mg/L over the 180 mg/L line where the USGS very hard class starts; San Antonio's high end, 342 mg/L, is 162 mg/L over the 180 mg/L line where the USGS very hard class starts. (USGS hardness classes)
Which systems fit San Antonio water?
How does a San Antonio quote work?
- Send a request from one of the 58 San Antonio ZIP codes listed below.
- An assessment at your home, where your tap can be checked against San Antonio Water System's published 257 to 342 mg/L.
- You get a written quote listing what is included.
- Installation and service by that company.
Common questions
- How hard is the water in San Antonio?
- Typical hardness reported by San Antonio Water System: 15 to 20 grains per gallon (Undated FAQ page).
- Is San Antonio water hard or soft?
- Very hard. The low end, 257 mg/L, is 77 mg/L over the 180 mg/L line where the USGS very hard class starts; San Antonio's high end, 342 mg/L, is 162 mg/L over the 180 mg/L line where the USGS very hard class starts.
- How many grains per gallon is San Antonio water?
- In grains per gallon, as published: 15 to 20 grains per gallon (San Antonio Water System, typical hardness, Undated FAQ page).
- Where does San Antonio tap water come from?
- Most SAWS water is groundwater from the Edwards, Carrizo, Simsboro, Trinity and Wilcox aquifers, with Canyon Lake surface water in some areas. Source: SAWS 2026 Water Quality Report.
- Is San Antonio water treated with chlorine or chloramine?
- SAWS keeps a free chlorine residual, averaging 1.46 ppm in 2025. Source: SAWS 2026 Water Quality Report. A softener does not remove it.
- How does San Antonio water compare with nearby cities?
- Published hardness in San Antonio spans 257 to 342 mg/L (converted from grains). Nearby: New Braunfels 234 to 298 mg/L (converted from grains); Austin 70 to 126 mg/L; Dallas 92 to 167 mg/L; Fort Worth 76.5 to 175 mg/L.
- Do I need a water softener in San Antonio?
- San Antonio Water System publishes 257 to 342 mg/L for San Antonio, which reads as very hard. A test at your house shows whether your tap matches it.
- Is the water the same in every San Antonio home?
- San Antonio Water System publishes one figure for its whole system (Undated FAQ page).
- How much does a water softener cost in San Antonio?
- We publish no prices for San Antonio. 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 San Antonio yet. We will tell you the company's name and ask you before your request is shared with anyone.
- Is San Antonio Home Water Systems part of the city or the water utility?
- No. San Antonio Home Water Systems is not affiliated with San Antonio Water System; 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?
78201, 78202, 78203, 78204, 78205, 78207, 78208, 78209, 78210, 78211, 78212, 78213, 78214, 78215, 78216, 78217, 78218, 78219, 78220, 78221, 78222, 78223, 78224, 78225, 78226, 78227, 78228, 78229, 78230, 78231, 78232, 78233, 78235, 78237, 78238, 78239, 78240, 78242, 78244, 78245, 78247, 78248, 78249, 78250, 78251, 78252, 78253, 78254, 78255, 78256, 78257, 78258, 78259, 78260, 78261, 78263, 78264, 78266
Nearby cities
Compare published hardness in other cities on hard water by city.
Machine-readable facts: water.json. Summary for AI assistants: llms.txt.