Potter County · Amarillo metro

Plumbing help in Amarillo, TX

Very Hard WaterOlder Pipes

Amarillo's water comes largely from the Ogallala Aquifer and is very hard. With about 60% of homes built before 1980, and Panhandle winters that bring wind-driven freezes, scale and frozen pipes are its signature plumbing problems.

Call (833) 878-1592Plumbing help in Amarillo and Potter County

Kitchen faucet beside a row of drinking glasses

Median home built: 1974
Built before 1980: 60%
Owner-occupied: 58%
Water hardness: Very hard; ≈ 15 grains/gal
Winter: Regular hard freezes
Plumbing code: State code

The plumbing calls that come up most in Amarillo

Water Softener Installation
At about 15 grains per gallon, softening protects heaters and fixtures.
Frozen Pipe Repair
Panhandle wind and cold snaps freeze exposed pipes.
Water Heater Repair
Very hard water builds sediment and scale in tank heaters.

Amarillo's very hard water and your plumbing

Amarillo's water comes from city wells in the Ogallala Aquifer and from the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority (well water and Lake Meredith); total hardness averages about 256 to 258 mg/L (roughly 15 grains per gallon). [1]

≈ 15 gpg

SoftModerately hardHardVery hard

Grains per gallon, from the utility's published figures. Scale per USGS hardness classes.

Hard-water upkeep:Water heater flushing Water softeners Hard water and plumbing Noisy water heater

Emergency plumbing in Amarillo

Call (833) 878-1592

Shut off your main water supply if it's safe to do so. The emergencies below are listed most likely first for Amarillo homes, based on local conditions.

Amarillo's 1970s housing and its pipes

The median home in Amarillo was built in 1974, and 60% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper supply, early plastic (ABS or PVC) drains, some cast iron.

Median home: 1974

1900195020002025

Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
Copper supply (1950–2000)
Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
PEX / CPVC (1995–today)

Typical supply-pipe materials by construction year. Many older homes have been partly repiped since.

Common projects in homes like these:Repiping Sewer camera inspection Water line repair Brown or rusty water

Frozen pipe risk in Amarillo

Regular hard freezes · 60% of Amarillo homes were built before 1980

Before winter:Winterizing checklist Outdoor faucets Find your shutoff

If a pipe freezes:Frozen pipe repair Burst pipe repair No water

Plumbing code and permits in Amarillo

Plumbers in Amarillo must hold a license from the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. [2]

Licensing:Check a plumber's license in Texas How to check a license

Heavy rain and storms

After storms:Sewer backup Basement flooding Sump pumps

Plumbing services for Amarillo homes

Or start from:Plumbing problems Emergencies

Amarillo plumbing questions

How hard is Amarillo water?

Very hard. The city lab reports about 256 to 258 mg/L, roughly 15 grains per gallon.

Where does Amarillo's water come from?

City wells in the Ogallala Aquifer, plus the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority's well water and Lake Meredith.

How do I check an Amarillo plumber?

Use the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners' license search.

How do I protect pipes from Panhandle freezes?

Insulate pipes, block wind from crawl-space vents, disconnect hoses and drip faucets in hard freezes.

How often should I flush my water heater in Amarillo?

At least yearly, since water this hard builds sediment fast.

Sources (3)

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
City of Amarillo Environmental Laboratory, Water Analysis Annual Average · checked 2026-10-01
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners · checked 2026-10-01