Benton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.2 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
444.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.51
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 Benton, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Benton | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -61% |
| Washing Machine | 6.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -46% |
| Water Heater | 7.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -47% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Benton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Benton, Arkansas | 191.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Bryant, Arkansas | 160.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Little Rock, Arkansas | 200 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Maumelle, Arkansas | 101 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| North Little Rock, Arkansas | 162.5 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Benton compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Benton | 191.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Benton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Benton, Arkansas, the Saline County seat — a major central Arkansas Little Rock suburban community (Benton is the Saline County seat and one of the fastest-growing cities in Arkansas — a major Little Rock south suburban community in the rapidly expanding Saline County corridor), home of the Saline County area mining heritage (Benton was historically famous for the 'Benton Bauxite' — the Saline County area had significant aluminum ore deposits, and Reynolds Metals maintained a major operation in the area for decades), a diverse Saline County community with a significant working-class and government professional population, and part of the rapidly growing Little Rock–Saline County suburban corridor — draws its municipal water supply from the Saline River (Lake Norrell) via the City of Benton Water Division. Water hardness in Benton measures 191.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Benton's hard supply reflects the central Arkansas Saline River watershed's calcareous geology. The Saline River (Lake Norrell) at Benton–Saline County drains: the Ordovician–Devonian Ouachita Mountains (calcareous-poor novaculite and Stanley Formation — the southwest Saline County watershed); and the Mississippian Boone Limestone and St. Joe Formation (highly calcareous marine limestone of the north Saline County area). The blended calcareous watershed produces the hard 191.5 mg/L.
At 191.5 mg/L, Benton residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling with citric acid solution is recommended. City of Benton Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Arkansas DEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Saline River (Lake Norrell) via the City of Benton Water Division — the Saline County central Arkansas Little Rock suburban corridor (Ordovician–Devonian calcareous Arkansas Ouachita Mountains novaculite and Mississippian calcareous limestone of the central Arkansas Ouachita Province; Saline River supply with treatment); hard supply at 191.5 mg/L in Saline County.