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Marion Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

132.5 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 Marion, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn MarionSoft Water CityEfficiency 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 Marion compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Marion, Arkansas≈ 0–59 mg/L0 ppt🟢 Softgroundwater
West Memphis, Arkansas66.5 mg/L0 ppt🟡 Moderately Hardgroundwater
Memphis, Tennessee48 mg/L10 ppt🟢 Softgroundwater
New South Memphis, Tennessee171 mg/L4 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Southaven, Mississippi≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater

National Benchmark

How Marion compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Marion≈ 0–59 mg/L🟢 None
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Marion's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 132.5 mg/LpH: 7.2

The City of Marion Water & Sewer Department manages the municipal water system for Marion, Arkansas. This utility draws its supply from groundwater sources within the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer. Water undergoes treatment and distribution managed by the Marion Water & Sewer Department, which also handles sewage and trash services for residents. The Marion Water & Sewer Department is committed to providing a safe and reliable water supply.

Marion's water originates from the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer system. This aquifer is a substantial sequence of unconsolidated sand, silt, and clay deposits situated above Cretaceous and Paleozoic bedrock. Recharge comes from precipitation and lateral flow. Underlying the alluvium are Cretaceous sandstones and shales, which add very little to the water's mineral content. The geology here in eastern Arkansas naturally creates soft water because the alluvial deposits lack significant amounts of calcium and magnesium-bearing minerals found in limestone or dolomite areas.

Because Marion's water is naturally soft, homeowners generally won't face issues with scale buildup in pipes, appliances, or water heaters. This characteristic helps extend the lifespan of fixtures like boilers, dishwashers, and laundry systems, allowing them to operate efficiently without the need for a water softener. You might also notice that soaps lather more easily and detergents work better with this softer water. However, the low mineral content can sometimes necessitate pH adjustment or corrosion control measures to protect plumbing from potential leaching of metals like copper and lead. For the latest details on water quality, including pH and any detected contaminants, residents should refer to the Marion Water & Sewer Department's annual Consumer Confidence Report.

Geology & Source: Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer system; sand, silt, and clay deposits; minimal limestone or dolomite dissolution produce soft water

Other Arkansas Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marion's water safe to drink?
Yes. Marion'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 Marion?
Marion'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 Marion compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Marion (≈ 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 Marion 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

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.

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.