Is Iowa tap water hard or soft?
Yes, mostly. 60 % of the 5 cities with published data in Iowa have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L). The median is 8 gpg, from 5.8 gpg in Dubuque to 9.7 gpg in Council Bluffs.
We have published hardness data for 5 cities in Iowa. The median is 8 gpg; the hardest water is in Council Bluffs (9.7 gpg), the softest in Dubuque (5.8 gpg).
60 % of these cities have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L).
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Cities in Iowa, hardest first
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Council Bluffs | 9.7 | 167 | hard |
| Ames | 9.4 | 161 | hard |
| Waukee | 8 | 137 | hard |
| Iowa City | 6.6 | 113 | moderately hard |
| Dubuque | 5.8 | 100 | moderately hard |
FAQ
Is Iowa water hard or soft?
Yes, mostly. 60 % of the 5 cities we cover have hard or very hard water; the median is 8 gpg.
Which city in Iowa has the hardest water?
Council Bluffs, at 9.7 gpg, has the hardest water of the 5 cities with published data.
Which city in Iowa has the softest water?
Dubuque, at 5.8 gpg, has the softest water of the 5 cities with published data.
Do I need a water softener in Iowa?
Above about 120 mg/L (7 gpg) scale builds up in water heaters, kettles and dishwashers, and a softener or at least regular descaling pays off. Look up your own city in the table: in Iowa the values range from 5.8 gpg to 9.7 gpg.