How does Benton's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Benton (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Benton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

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

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Benton	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Benton compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Benton, Arkansas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Bryant, Arkansas	≈ 0–60 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	river
Malvern, Arkansas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Little Rock, Arkansas	≈ 0–60 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Maumelle, Arkansas	≈ 0–60 mg/L	3.5 ppt	🟢 Soft	river

National Benchmark

How Benton compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Benton	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Benton's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 444.3 mg/LpH: 8.2

Benton Waterworks, part of Benton Utilities, delivers water to approximately 35,000 residents in Saline County, Arkansas, including neighborhoods such as Hurricane Creek and along Military Road. The supply draws from the Saline River via Lake Norrell through the City of Benton Water Division. Treatment includes chlorine-based disinfection, with the 2021 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report available at bentonutilities.com and through Arkansas Department of Health source vulnerability assessments.

The Saline River watershed traverses central Arkansas' Ouachita Province, where water passes through Ordovician–Devonian novaculite and Mississippian calcareous limestone formations. These carbonate and siliceous rock sequences contribute calcium and magnesium ions as water flows through mineral-rich strata. The reactive limestone layers of the Saline County corridor impart a hard character to the river-sourced supply, typical of central Arkansas' Ouachita Province geology.

Moderately hard water leads to scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Spotting on glassware and stiffer laundry fabrics are common effects. Regular vinegar descaling, sediment filters, and monitoring for reduced flow are recommended; a water softener is advised to protect household plumbing. Testing shows 10 contaminants detected, with seven exceeding independent health guidelines — including hexavalent chromium above California's 0.02 ppb goal — though all remain within EPA legal limits. Full Consumer Confidence Reports are available at bentonutilities.com.

Geology & Source: Saline River (Lake Norrell) supply — Ouachita Province Ordovician-Devonian novaculite and Mississippian calcareous limestone; dissolved calcium and magnesium from carbonate sequences yield hard supply in Saline County

Other Arkansas Water Reports

Bryant

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Malvern

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Little Rock

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Maumelle

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Benton's water safe to drink?

Yes. Benton's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Benton?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Benton's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Benton compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Benton (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Benton is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.