How to Read a Water Test Report
A water test gives you a bunch of numbers — but what do they actually mean? Here's every common metric explained in plain English, so you know exactly what's in your water and whether it needs treating.
Hardness (gpg)
Grains per gallon of calcium and magnesium. Under 1 is soft, 1–3.5 slightly hard, 3.5–7 moderately hard, 7–10.5 hard, and over 10.5 very hard. Most Texas water runs 8–17 gpg.
Chlorine / Chloramines
Disinfectants added by municipal water systems. Safe at regulated levels but cause dry skin, faded clothes, and a chemical taste and smell. Carbon filtration removes them.
pH
Measures how acidic or alkaline your water is. The ideal range is 6.5–8.5. Low pH (acidic) water corrodes pipes; high pH can leave deposits and taste bitter.
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)
The total amount of dissolved minerals, salts, and metals. High TDS affects taste and can indicate other issues. Reverse osmosis dramatically lowers TDS for drinking water.
Iron
Common in Texas well water. Causes orange stains on fixtures and laundry, a metallic taste, and can clog plumbing. A specialized iron filter or softener media handles it.
Lead, Arsenic & PFAS
Trace contaminants that municipal treatment doesn't fully remove. Lead leaches from old pipes; PFAS are 'forever chemicals.' Reverse osmosis removes 99.9% of these.
Want Your Water Tested for Free?
We come to your home, test right at the tap, and walk you through every number — so you understand exactly what's in your water and what (if anything) it needs. No obligation, no pressure.