Bettendorf Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
362 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.53
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · 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 Bettendorf, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Bettendorf | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -64% |
| Washing Machine | 6.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -48% |
| Water Heater | 7.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -49% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Bettendorf compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bettendorf, Iowa | 197 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Moline, Illinois | 137.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Davenport, Iowa | 176 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Rock Island, Illinois | 157 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| East Moline, Illinois | 206.5 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Bettendorf compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bettendorf | 197 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Bettendorf's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Bettendorf, Iowa, in Scott County — a major east Iowa Quad Cities community on the Mississippi River (Bettendorf is one of the four Quad Cities — along with Davenport (Iowa), Rock Island, and Moline (Illinois) — a major upper Mississippi River metro area), historically a significant agricultural equipment manufacturing city (the J.I. Case Company and other farm implement manufacturers operated in the Bettendorf area), an affluent east Iowa community with one of the highest household incomes in Iowa (Bettendorf consistently ranks among Iowa's most affluent communities), and a diverse Scott County community in the Quad Cities metro area — draws its municipal water supply from the Mississippi River via the City of Bettendorf Water Division. Water hardness in Bettendorf measures 197 mg/L — classified as hard.
Bettendorf's hard supply reflects the upper Mississippi River Valley's highly calcareous Paleozoic carbonate geology. The Mississippi River at Bettendorf–Scott County carries: the Devonian Cedar Valley and Wapsipinicon Limestone (highly calcareous marine limestone of the Iowa–Illinois upper Mississippi bluffs); the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly calcareous dolomite of the Illinois–Iowa border zone); and the Wisconsin Age calcareous glacial outwash of the Rock River–Quad Cities area. City of Bettendorf treatment produces the hard 197 mg/L.
At 197 mg/L, Bettendorf residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling with citric acid solution is recommended. City of Bettendorf Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Iowa DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Mississippi River via the City of Bettendorf Water Division — the Scott County east Iowa Mississippi River Valley (Devonian Wapsipinicon and Cedar Valley Limestone and Silurian Niagaran Dolomite — the highly calcareous east Iowa Devonian–Silurian carbonate bluffs of the upper Mississippi Valley; Wisconsin Age calcareous glacial till); hard supply at 197 mg/L in Scott County.