Camden Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
river
pH Level
7.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
45 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Camden, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Camden | 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 Camden compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Camden, Arkansas | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| El Dorado, Arkansas | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Magnolia, Arkansas | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Arkadelphia, Arkansas | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | river |
| Malvern, Arkansas | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Camden compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Camden | ≈ 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 Camden's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Camden Waterworks is the municipal water utility serving Camden, Arkansas, a city of about 15,080 residents in Ouachita County. The utility draws its drinking water from the Ouachita River, a surface water source. Its water treatment and administrative operations are situated at 206 Van Buren Street NE, Camden, AR 71701. You can reach them by phone at 870-836-7331. The Ouachita River watershed is part of the Ouachita Mountains region, an area characterized by Paleozoic sedimentary rock formations.
These Paleozoic formations, primarily composed of limestone and dolomite, are rich in carbonate minerals. As water travels through the soil and rock of the Ouachita Mountains geological province, these minerals dissolve readily. This process releases significant amounts of calcium and magnesium ions into the water supply. Consequently, the water chemistry reflects this geology, resulting in a hard water supply with a mineral content typical of river systems influenced by limestone in this area.
Homeowners will likely notice the effects of this hard water, such as scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and various appliances. You might also observe that dishwashers and washing machines operate less efficiently, requiring more soap and detergent for effective cleaning. To combat these issues and prolong the life of your home's plumbing and appliances, especially high-demand items like water heaters and laundry machines, installing a water softener is advisable. The utility does treat the Ouachita River water to meet federal safety standards, addressing contaminants like Carbofuran, DEHP, and Dichlorofluoromethane.
Geology & Source: Ouachita Mountains Paleozoic sedimentary formations; limestone and dolomite release calcium and magnesium, creating hard water
Other Arkansas Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Camden's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Camden?
How does Camden compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Camden is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.