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

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

Harrison Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

7.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

55 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 Harrison, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Harrison	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 Harrison compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Harrison, Arkansas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Branson, Missouri	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Mountain Home, Arkansas	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Ozark, Missouri	≈ 180+ mg/L	13.4 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Nixa, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Harrison compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Harrison	≈ 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 Harrison's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 55 mg/LpH: 7.7

Harrison Waterworks serves the city of Harrison, Arkansas, and nearby communities in Boone County, providing water for about 17,838 residents. Their supply originates from surface water, primarily the White River system. Water undergoes aeration and conventional filtration at the treatment facilities to remove minerals and other substances. The White River watershed itself spans the Ozark plateau, an area characterized by Ordovician and Devonian limestone and dolomite bedrock.

As water and runoff travel through these porous carbonate rocks, they dissolve minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. This geological process is responsible for the water’s moderately hard quality, a characteristic common to this region’s karst landscape. The Ozark plateau’s geology directly influences the mineral content found in the Harrison water supply.

Over time, this moderately hard water can lead to some mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances. While not as severe as in very hard water areas, scale can still form in water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, potentially affecting their efficiency and lifespan. Homeowners might consider periodic descaling or installing a water softener, especially those with sensitive skin or who wish to reduce soap usage. Harrison Waterworks advises consumers to review their latest Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for specific details on water quality parameters and contaminant levels.

Geology & Source: Ozark plateau limestone and dolomite; soluble carbonate formations contribute moderate hardness

Other Arkansas Water Reports

Branson

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Mountain Home

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Ozark

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Nixa

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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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 Harrison's water safe to drink?

Yes. Harrison'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 Harrison?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Harrison'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 Harrison compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Harrison (≈ 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 Harrison 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.