San Antonio is famous for its culture, history, and beautiful Hill Country surroundings—but it’s also known for something much less appealing: extremely hard water. Because much of the city’s water supply comes from the limestone-rich Edwards Aquifer, San Antonio consistently ranks among the hardest-water regions in the country.

If you’re not sure whether hard water is affecting your home, there are clear signs to look for. Here’s exactly how to tell if you have hard water in San Antonio, and why it matters more than you might realize.

1. White, Chalky Buildup on Faucets and Fixtures

The easiest way to identify hard water is by checking your faucets, showerheads, and sinks for white or grayish mineral deposits. These chalky crusts—known as limescale—are caused by calcium and magnesium left behind when water evaporates.

In San Antonio, this buildup returns quickly even after cleaning, especially on:

• Showerheads

• Kitchen faucets

• Bath fixtures

• Glass shower doors

• Tile and grout

2. Soap Scum That Keeps Coming Back

If you’re constantly scrubbing sticky film off your tubs, sinks, or shower walls, hard water is likely to blame. Hard water prevents soap from dissolving properly, leaving behind a stubborn layer of soap scum that never seems to go away.

3. Dry Skin and Dull Hair

Hard water doesn’t rinse cleanly. Instead, it leaves behind a mineral film that strips the natural oils from your skin and hair.

San Antonio residents often report:

• Dry, itchy, or flaky skin

• Hair that feels tangled, heavy, or brittle

• Scalp irritation

This is one of the most common everyday signs of hard water in local households.

4. Cloudy or Spotty Dishes

If your dishwasher leaves behind:

• White spots

• Cloudy glassware

• Film on plates

• Streaky silverware

—your water is likely very hard. The minerals stick to dishes and interfere with how detergent rinses.

Even powerful rinse aids struggle with San Antonio’s hardness levels.

5. Reduced Water Pressure

Mineral scale doesn’t just form on surfaces—it also accumulates inside your plumbing.

Over time, this causes:

• Slow shower flow

• Weak faucets

• Restricted pipes

• Clogged aerators

Older homes in San Antonio experience this even more frequently due to aging plumbing systems.

6. Laundry That Feels Rough or Looks Dingy

Hard water traps detergent in fabrics, leaving clothes:

• Stiff

• Scratchy

• Faded

• Covered in residue

Towels especially lose softness after repeated washes in hard water.

7. Appliances Wearing Out Faster Than Expected

Mineral buildup shortens the lifespan of major appliances. If your water heater, dishwasher, or washing machine is having issues sooner than expected, hard water may be the reason.

Hard water forces appliances to work harder, leading to:

• More repairs

• Higher energy bills

• Early replacement

A water heater coated in scale can lose 20–30% efficiency, a major cost factor for homeowners.

8. Your Water Heater Makes Noise

Hard water causes sediment to settle at the bottom of your water heater. This can lead to:

• Rumbling

• Banging

• Popping sounds

This is a warning sign that mineral buildup is taking a toll.

Why Hard Water Is So Common in San Antonio

Because San Antonio water flows through limestone formations, hardness minerals dissolve into the water naturally—and remain even after treatment. It’s one of the reasons the area consistently ranks among the hardest-water regions nationwide.

While hard water isn’t harmful to drink, it does harm your home, appliances, comfort, and long-term maintenance costs.

Hard Water in San Antonio Is Easy to Identify—And Easy to Fix

If you’re noticing one or more of these signs, you almost certainly have hard water in your San Antonio home. A whole home water softener removes the hardness minerals that cause these problems, giving you softer water, cleaner fixtures, better appliance performance, and a more comfortable home.