Water hardness in Little Rock
1.3 gpg soft
Tap water in Little Rock is soft: 1.3 gpg (22 mg/L · 1.2 °dH · 2.2 °fH).
Source: Central Arkansas Water - 2014 Water Quality Report (2014) · data checked 2026-10-23
2 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Wilson WTP | 1.3 | 22 | soft |
| Ozark Point WTP | 1.3 | 22 | soft |
This figure is over 3 years old; hardness may have changed.
Central Arkansas Water supplies Little Rock from two reservoirs in the Ouachita foothills, Lake Maumelle and Lake Winona, much of it forested watershed. Runoff over forest soils and hard rock picks up few minerals, which is why the water is soft at 22.3 mg/L CaCO₃. Scale is minimal and a softener adds little. The figure dates from 2014 and may have changed.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 1.3 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Central Arkansas Water |
How Little Rock compares
- Tap water in Little Rock is 86 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1322 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 4 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Arkansas it is number 4 of 5 cities; the regional median is 4.4 gpg.
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Little or no limescale in kettles, water heaters or washing machines.
- Soap lathers easily; water does not dry skin or hair.
- Dishwasher: salt setting at minimum or off.
- No softener needed; a jug filter only changes taste.
How much salt will you use for softening?
No. Water this soft does not need softening.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 6 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Little Rock
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 1 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 1 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S0 |
| LG | H0 |
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 Little Rock water hard or soft?
It is soft: 22 mg/L as CaCO₃ (1.3 gpg, 1.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Little Rock 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 Little Rock water?
1.3 gpg, equal to 1.2 °dH, 2.2 °fH or 22 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Little Rock?
For 22 mg/L (1.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 0–1, usually no salt.
Do I need a water softener in Little Rock?
No. With soft water a softener adds nothing.
Source
Source: Central Arkansas Water - 2014 Water Quality Report (2014). Method: older figure, source currently unavailable. Central Arkansas Water - 2014 Water Quality Report · Outdated figure? Tell us