Water hardness in Fulton
17 gpg very hard
Tap water in Fulton is very hard: 17 gpg (292 mg/L · 16.3 °dH · 29.1 °fH).
Source: City of Fulton 2025 Annual Water Quality Report (2024) · data checked 2026-10-29
Range across supply zones: 280–303 mg/L.
Fulton, Missouri, is served by City of Fulton Water. Its annual water quality report gives a computed median of 291.5 mg/L as CaCO₃, with values from 280 to 303 mg/L. That is very hard water, and it is consistently so across the published range.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 17 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | City of Fulton Water |
How Fulton compares
- Tap water in Fulton is 88 % harder than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 271 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 80 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Missouri it is number 4 of 32 cities; the regional median is 10.3 gpg.
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Fulton
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 16 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 4 |
| Beko | 5th |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H3 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Fulton water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 292 mg/L as CaCO₃ (17 gpg, 16.3 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Fulton safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Fulton water?
17 gpg, equal to 16.3 °dH, 29.1 °fH or 292 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Fulton?
For 292 mg/L (16.3 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Fulton?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: City of Fulton 2025 Annual Water Quality Report (2024). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. City of Fulton 2025 Annual Water Quality Report · Outdated figure? Tell us