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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Fayetteville (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L softer than average.

Fayetteville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

7.8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

144 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.08

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · 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 Fayetteville, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Fayetteville	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	8.2 yrs	8.5 yrs	-4%
Washing Machine	11.5 yrs	12 yrs	-4%
Water Heater	14.4 yrs	15 yrs	-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How Fayetteville compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Fayetteville, Arkansas	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 Soft	river
Springdale, Arkansas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Rogers, Arkansas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Bentonville, Arkansas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Centerton, Arkansas	≈ 0–60 mg/L	🟢 Soft	river

National Benchmark

How Fayetteville compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Fayetteville	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 None
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Fayetteville's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 144 mg/LpH: 7.8

Fayetteville Public Works Commission (FAYPWC) serves the City of Fayetteville in Washington County, Arkansas, operating water treatment and distribution infrastructure for the municipal supply. Annual water quality reports are published each May and available through the city's official website. The utility monitors pH, chlorine residual, lead and copper compliance, and turbidity to ensure compliance with EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Treatment processes include chlorination for disinfection and standard filtration, with the 2025 Water Quality Report available as a PDF download from FAYPWC's website.

The water supply originates from the Springfield Plateau aquifer system, which underlies much of the Ozark region. The aquifer is composed primarily of Mississippian-age limestone and dolomite formations, including the Boone Formation. This carbonate geology, while soluble in some contexts, yields relatively soft water in the Fayetteville area due to the region's precipitation patterns and groundwater flow characteristics. The Ozark plateau's geological setting produces water with moderate mineral content and low dissolved solids.

Fayetteville's water is classified as soft, meaning scale buildup on fixtures and appliances is minimal. Soap lathers readily, and water heaters operate efficiently without significant mineral deposits. Descaling treatments are rarely necessary, and residents typically do not require a water softener. Plumbing and appliances experience less stress from mineral accumulation compared to hard-water regions; standard maintenance of water heaters and fixtures remains sufficient. Residents should consult the annual CCR for current test results, any detected contaminants, and compliance status.

Geology & Source: Springfield Plateau aquifer — Mississippian-age limestone and dolomite, Boone Formation; carbonate rocks yield soft water with low mineral content typical of the Ozark region

Other Arkansas Water Reports

Springdale

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Rogers

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bentonville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Centerton

≈ 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 Fayetteville's water safe to drink?

Yes. Fayetteville's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Fayetteville?

Fayetteville's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Fayetteville compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Fayetteville (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 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 Fayetteville 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.