Is Missouri tap water hard or soft?
Yes, mostly. 94 % of the 32 cities with published data in Missouri have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L). The median is 10.3 gpg, from 6 gpg in Ironton to 19.7 gpg in Wardsville.
We have published hardness data for 32 cities in Missouri. The median is 10.3 gpg; the hardest water is in Wardsville (19.7 gpg), the softest in Ironton (6 gpg).
94 % 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 Missouri, hardest first
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Wardsville | 19.7 | 338 | very hard |
| Smithton | 19.4 | 332 | very hard |
| Farmington | 18.2 | 312 | very hard |
| Fulton | 17 | 292 | very hard |
| Mexico | 15.2 | 260 | very hard |
| Rolla | 14.5 | 249 | very hard |
| Maplewood | 14.4 | 247 | very hard |
| Sedalia | 14.3 | 245 | very hard |
| Saddlebrooke | 13.4 | 229 | very hard |
| St. Joseph | 13 | 222 | very hard |
| Stewartsville | 13 | 222 | very hard |
| Warrensburg | 13 | 222 | very hard |
| Wood Heights | 12.5 | 214 | very hard |
| Brunswick | 11.7 | 200 | very hard |
| Purcell | 11.7 | 200 | very hard |
| Nixa | 10.5 | 180 | very hard |
| Joplin | 10.2 | 174 | hard |
| St. Peters | 10.1 | 173 | hard |
| Webb City | 10 | 172 | hard |
| Parkville | 9.2 | 157 | hard |
| Jefferson City | 8.8 | 150 | hard |
| Moberly | 8.1 | 138 | hard |
| Springfield | 8 | 137 | hard |
| Independence | 8 | 137 | hard |
| Orrick | 7.6 | 130 | hard |
| St. Louis | 7.5 | 129 | hard |
| Grain Valley | 7.2 | 123 | hard |
| Lee’s Summit | 7.2 | 123 | hard |
| Raymore | 7.2 | 123 | hard |
| Blue Springs | 7.2 | 123 | hard |
| Lawson | 6.5 | 112 | moderately hard |
| Ironton | 6 | 102 | moderately hard |
FAQ
Is Missouri water hard or soft?
Yes, mostly. 94 % of the 32 cities we cover have hard or very hard water; the median is 10.3 gpg.
Which city in Missouri has the hardest water?
Wardsville, at 19.7 gpg, has the hardest water of the 32 cities with published data.
Which city in Missouri has the softest water?
Ironton, at 6 gpg, has the softest water of the 32 cities with published data.
Do I need a water softener in Missouri?
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 Missouri the values range from 6 gpg to 19.7 gpg.
On a private well? Well water hardness in Missouri by county →