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

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

Ankeny Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

8.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

686.3 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 Ankeny, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Ankeny	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 Ankeny compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Ankeny, Iowa	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Johnston, Iowa	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Des Moines, Iowa	≈ 60–120 mg/L	🟡 Moderately Hard	river
Urbandale, Iowa	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Altoona, Iowa	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Ankeny compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 686.3 mg/LpH: 8.5

City of Ankeny Municipal Utilities provides water to over 65,000 residents in Ankeny, Iowa, a suburb of Des Moines in Polk County. The utility purchases treated water from Des Moines Water Works, sourced from surface water bodies including Crystal Lake, Des Moines River, Maffitt Reservoir, and Raccoon River. Treatment occurs at Des Moines Water Works facilities, involving filtration, disinfection, and chemical adjustment before distribution through Ankeny's system.

The supply draws from the Des Moines River watershed, spanning central Iowa's glaciated landscape underlain by Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. Limestone and dolomite formations from the Mississippian and Devonian periods dominate the bedrock, imparting a hard character through mineral dissolution as river water interacts with these calcium- and magnesium-rich carbonate layers — remnants of prehistoric inland seas. This elevates dissolved calcium and magnesium in the supply without significant aquifer involvement.

Hard water in Ankeny leads to scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan while increasing energy costs. Fixtures may show white deposits, and laundry can feel stiff. Regular deliming of appliances and vinegar soaks help; a water softener is recommended for full protection against scaling and soap inefficiency. Water pH ranges from 8.62–9.05, indicating alkalinity. Recent TTHM levels reached 0.084 mg/L, exceeding the EPA MCL of 0.080 mg/L due to elevated ammonia and organic carbon prompting higher chlorination; quarterly notices continue. Three contaminants exceed MCLGs and 12 have been detected overall; treatment includes chlorination and filtration at Des Moines Water Works.

Geology & Source: Des Moines River watershed over Iowa glacial till plains; Mississippian and Devonian limestone/dolomite carbonate bedrock dissolves calcium and magnesium into river water — produces hard supply

Other Iowa Water Reports

Johnston

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Des Moines

≈ 60–120 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Urbandale

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Altoona

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ankeny's water safe to drink?

Yes. Ankeny'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 Ankeny?

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

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