When using water in a commercial operation in Hays County, a common issue noticed at fixtures may be minerals causing scale buildup. This results from hardness in the local groundwater, which affects plumbing and equipment over time.
How Hardness Enters Groundwater or the Distribution System in Hays County
Minerals from Aquifer 218EDRDA Contribute to Hard Water
Groundwater sampled from Aquifer 218EDRDA in Hays County shows consistent presence of hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium. U.S. Geological Survey testing from 2010 to 2024 found hardness levels ranging from 254 to 505 mg/L, with a median of 310 mg/L across 63 samples from 14 separate wells.
Depth Range of Sampled Wells Reflects Regional Aquifer Characteristics
Samples were taken from wells 80 to 520 feet deep, representing a wide section of the aquifer contributing water to commercial and other users in the region.
What to Record Before Seeking Treatment Guidance
Obtain Specific Hardness Measurement for Your Facility
Because area sampling does not specify your facility’s water hardness, a direct test of your water source is necessary to know exact levels.
Note Facility Water Use and Daily Demand
Recording the volume of water used daily helps determine the appropriate water treatment capacity.
Differences for Large Commercial Properties or Seasonal Operations
Hardness Impact May Vary by Water Volume and Usage Patterns
Facilities with high water demand or intermittent use should consider how hardness scaling might affect system components differently over time.
Adjust System Size to Match Fluctuations in Operation
A treatment system should be sized to handle peak demand periods to maintain consistent water quality.
Role of Plumbing Material and Age, Separate from Source Water
Older Plumbing May Show More Scale Despite Similar Hardness Levels
Commercial plumbing materials and their age influence scale buildup independently of raw water hardness concentrations from the aquifer.
Assess Plumbing Separately to Identify Maintenance Needs
Understanding the condition of pipes and fixtures helps pinpoint whether hard water alone causes observed issues.
Judging Treatment Capacity Against Facility Water Demand
Match Water Softening Capacity to Peak Usage
Commercial system skids like the 24 Steel Tanks - Twin Unit Skid ship ready to configure for demand and hardness levels typically encountered in this area.
Consider Scalability for Future Water Use Changes
Choose systems that can adapt if operational water needs increase, ensuring adequate hardness reduction over time.
What Not to Conclude from Hays County Area Data
Area Hardness Levels Are Not Exact Measures of Your Water
Median and range values reflect sampled wells in the aquifer but do not define your facility’s specific water hardness without testing.
Detected Hardness Is Not a Water Safety Violation
No federal threshold was exceeded in the USGS data; hardness affects taste and scaling, not water safety.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2024-02-13. These figures describe groundwater sampled in this area. They are not a test of any individual private well - only a test of that well can establish its own water.
On record: U.S. Geological Survey sampling of Hardness, Ca, Mg in the 218EDRDA aquifer (Hays County): 63 results from 14 wells, median 310.0 mg/L, range 254.0-505.0 mg/L; none above any federal threshold
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