Dallas Water Mineral Content: What’s in Your Tap?

Dallas residents know all too well the signs of hard water, white spots on dishes, scale buildup on faucets, or that dry, tight feeling after a shower. These are telltale signs of mineral-heavy water, and they’re common across North Texas.

The reason? Dallas’ water supply contains high levels of calcium, magnesium, and other dissolved minerals. While these minerals aren’t dangerous to drink, they can cause plumbing damage, appliance wear, and everyday frustrations around the home.

Let’s break down what’s in Dallas tap water, where these minerals come from, and how Culligan of Dallas helps homeowners fight back.

According to Dallas Water Utilities’ 2024 Water Quality Report and data from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Dallas water is firmly in the “hard” to “very hard” range.

Here’s a snapshot from recent reports:

The U.S. Geological Survey classifies water above 180 mg/L as “very hard.” That means most Dallas homes are dealing with hard water day in and day out.

Hard water is safe to drink, but it causes costly and frustrating problems throughout your home.

Dallas pulls its water from surface water sources including:

As water travels through limestone-rich North Texas soil and rock, it naturally absorbs calcium and magnesium ions. These minerals make the water “hard.”
In dry years, Dallas relies more heavily on lakes and reservoirs with higher dissolved solid levels, increasing mineral concentrations even further.

Dallas’ water distribution system includes thousands of miles of aging pipelines. In some neighborhoods, corroded pipes can introduce trace metals like iron, zinc, or copper, contributing to discoloration, metallic taste, or sediment buildup in faucets and fixtures.

While Dallas water isn’t unsafe, it’s tough on your plumbing, appliances, and comfort.

Here’s what hard water can cause:

Calcium and magnesium leave behind white, chalky residue on showerheads, tile, and faucets. Over time, this buildup reduces water pressure and can cause physical damage to pipes and fixtures.

Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines all suffer from limescale accumulation. The Water Quality Research Foundation found that hard water can shorten appliance life by up to 50% compared to soft water homes.

Scale buildup acts like insulation inside your water heater, forcing it to work harder and use more energy to heat water, driving up utility costs.

Hard water reacts poorly with soap, leaving film and residue on your skin, laundry, and dishes.
Many homeowners notice:

According to the Environmental Working Group, Dallas tap water contains 24 total contaminants, with 9 exceeding EWG’s health guidelines. These include:

While these contaminants aren’t directly tied to water hardness, they raise concerns about overall water quality. Combined with high mineral content, they highlight why many Dallas homeowners choose water filtration and softening systems for added protection.

Yes, and you should.

Water hardness can vary across Dallas neighborhoods and even between houses on the same block. Factors like plumbing material, distance from main lines, and water source blend all affect your results.

A professional water quality test from Culligan of Dallas gives you precise insight into your water’s mineral and contaminant levels. Using this data, Culligan experts recommend the right water softener or whole-house filtration system for your home.

That depends on your priorities. Hard water doesn’t pose serious health risks, but it does cause:

For those with sensitive skin, eczema, or allergies, the mineral and chlorine combination in Dallas water can also contribute to skin irritation and discomfort.

If you’re tired of soap scum, crusty faucets, or replacing your water heater prematurely — it’s time to address your home’s hard water.

Culligan of Dallas has helped North Texas homeowners for decades with custom water treatment solutions built to handle local mineral content and chemical treatment challenges.

Our systems start with a free water quality test and are tailored to your home’s water chemistry, plumbing layout, and household size.

Culligan’s water softeners use a salt-based ion exchange system to remove calcium and magnesium, replacing them with sodium ions. This process softens your water, protects your plumbing, and restores comfort to your showers and laundry.

Benefits include:

Dallas homeowners also turn to whole-home filtration systems and under-sink reverse osmosis units for added protection against chlorine taste, organic materials, and trace contaminants.

Culligan’s carbon filtration systems and reverse osmosis (RO) systems target both minerals and chemical impurities, delivering clean, great-tasting drinking water straight from your tap.

Dallas has hard water, and while the minerals in it, mainly calcium and magnesium, aren’t toxic, they take a toll on your plumbing, comfort, and appliances. Combined with disinfection byproducts and mineral residue, they make water filtration and softening an essential upgrade for most homes.

The best first step?
Schedule a free water test with Culligan of Dallas. Our experts will analyze your water, explain your results, and recommend the ideal system to deliver clean, soft, great-tasting water, for your family and your home.