Is Midland, TX Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Midland tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOS: 4.5 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water. Midland also has very hard water at 283 PPM.
Hardness Scale: Where Midland Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Midland Compares
Midland's water is 105% harder than the national average of 138 PPM. It ranks #77 out of 1000 cities in our database (harder than 92% of US cities we track). Within Texas, it ranks #6 of 76 cities (50% above the state average of 189 PPM). Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), Midland ranks #12 of 189 for hardness. At this hardness level, water heaters run an estimated 52% less efficiently due to scale insulation, and major water-using appliances typically last 4 years less than the national average lifespan.
What Midland's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 283 PPM - Treatment Recommended
Midland has some extremely hard water. At 283 PPM (16.5 grains per gallon), your tap is loaded with mineral content carried in from the watershed geology. Here's the thing: it's perfectly safe to drink. The minerals won't hurt you. But they will hurt your wallet. That adds up. Hard water at 283 PPM increases household costs through scale-coated water heaters that use more energy, extra soap and detergent, and appliances that wear out faster. Most Midland homeowners don't realize it until the plumber shows up. That's 50% harder than the Texas average.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Midland has PFOS at 4.5 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Midland's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 41.8 ppb (52% of the legal limit, but 279x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 14.3 ppb (24% of the legal limit, but 143x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.468 ppb, which is 23x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
How Hard Water Affects Your Home
At 283 PPM, untreated hard water has measurable effects on household costs and appliance life:
- Water heater inefficiency: Scale insulation forces the heater to work harder (DOE estimates up to 22% more energy for heavily scaled units)
- Soap and detergent: Hard water reduces lathering, requiring significantly more product
- Appliance replacement: Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines fail 2-4 years earlier due to scale buildup
- Plumbing maintenance: Scale buildup in pipes reduces flow and requires more frequent service
Note: Impact varies by household size, water usage, and local energy costs. A home water test provides the most accurate assessment for your specific situation.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 283 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ⚠ Very Hard |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 485 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ⚠ Elevated |
| PFAS (total) | 40.8 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 4.5 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Lead | 1.5 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.5 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.711 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Midland Homes
Our Top Picks for Midland (283 PPM)
Hard water at 283 PPM causes scale buildup, increased energy use, and premature appliance failure. A softener protects your plumbing and appliances.
Recommended Filter for Midland
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOS: 4.5 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.5 mg/L chlorine, many Midland residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Midland
With PFAS at 40.8 ppt in Midland's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request City of Midland Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
📊 Already Tested Your Water?
City averages miss neighborhood-level variation. Share your results to help your neighbors get better data.
We review every submission before publishing. Your ZIP is shown; your identity is not.
About Midland's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Midland Water
Water Source: T-Bar Ranch wellfield, Colorado River (Surface Water)
Population Served: 157,000
Hardness: 283 PPM (16.5 grains per gallon)
Midland's drinking water comes from surface sources — T-Bar Ranch wellfield, Colorado River. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. Despite the treatment process, mineral hardness from the watershed carries through. The system serves 157,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Midland Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Midland Water in Midland, TX, including ZIP codes:
76932, 79331, 79511, 79527, 79565, 79701, 79702, 79703, 79704, 79705, 79706, 79707, 79708, 79710, 79711, 79712, 79713, 79720, 79721, 79733, 79739, 79748, 79749, 79755, 79782, 79783
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Water Softener Sizing for Midland
At 283 PPM (16.5 GPG), here is how to size a softener for your Midland home. Multiply hardness in GPG (16.5) by daily water usage (roughly 50 gallons per person). A family of four uses about 200 gallons/day: 16.5 GPG × 200 gal = 3300 grains/day. Over a 7-day regeneration cycle, that is 23,100 grains - a 32,000-grain softener is the right fit for most Midland households.
Compare Midland to Other Texas Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Midland Water
Is Midland tap water safe to drink?
Where does Midland's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Midland?
How do I remove PFAS from Midland tap water?
What water filter is best for Midland?
Is Midland water safe for babies and infants?
Does Midland water damage tankless water heaters?
Do I need both a softener AND a filter in Midland?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Midland Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 283 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Midland's water data.