Show Low Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
22.8 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
1150.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$1.00
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Show Low, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Show Low | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3 yrs | 12 yrs | -75% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Show Low compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Show Low, Arizona | 391 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Payson, Arizona | 294.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Gold Camp, Arizona | 381.5 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Gold Canyon, Arizona | 265.5 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Apache Junction, Arizona | 379 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Show Low compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Show Low | 391 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Show Low home
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What Makes Show Low's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Show Low, Arizona, in Navajo County — the Navajo County seat adjacent to Pinetop-Lakeside and Linden on the Mogollon Rim in east-central Arizona — receives its water from the Show Low Water Department, drawing from Blue Ridge Reservoir and local wells through the east-central Arizona distribution.
The extremely hard 391 mg/L hardness and very high TDS of 1,150.9 mg/L reflect the Navajo County Arizona Plateau supply's extreme evaporitic character — the Permian Coconino Sandstone contains calcareous cement, while the Triassic Moenkopi Formation contains abundant gypsum and anhydrite evaporite beds; deep Mogollon Rim wells penetrate these formations to produce extremely mineralized water (compare Pinetop-Lakeside AZ: 384/1128 in Navajo County comparable; Linden AZ: 397/1172 in Navajo County comparable; Show Low consistent extremely hard from the same Navajo County Blue Ridge Reservoir Arizona Plateau evaporitic supply). The Arizona Plateau supply — Permian Coconino Sandstone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Triassic Moenkopi Formation (evaporitic — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Mogollon Rim alluvium (evaporitic — TDS contributor).
At 391 mg/L with TDS 1,151, Show Low's water is extremely hard — a whole-house water softener is essential. A reverse osmosis system is strongly recommended for drinking due to very high TDS. The PFAS level of 5.3 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review Show Low's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Show Low in Navajo County draws from the Show Low Water on Blue Ridge Reservoir blend (Navajo County, east-central Arizona) — the Arizona Plateau draws from Permian Coconino Sandstone (calcareous) and Triassic Moenkopi Formation (evaporitic) — Arizona Navajo County Blue Ridge Reservoir Arizona Plateau evaporitic supply produces extremely hard water at 391 mg/L with TDS 1150.9 mg/L.