Clinton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
180+ mg/L
Very Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
234 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.91
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Clinton, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Clinton | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 6.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -45% |
| Water Heater | 8.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Clinton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clinton, Iowa | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 1351.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| East Moline, Illinois | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 64.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Bettendorf, Iowa | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Moline, Illinois | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 67 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Sterling, Illinois | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Clinton compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clinton | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Clinton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Iowa American Water's Clinton District serves the city of Clinton, Iowa, and surrounding areas in Clinton County. The utility sources drinking water exclusively from groundwater, drawing from seven deep wells located in four well fields within the Clinton area. Water is pumped from these wells and treated at facilities managed by Iowa American Water to meet state and federal standards. There are no surface water treatment plants; all supply comes from the deep Cambrian-Ordovician and Jordan Aquifers.
The supply draws from two distinct aquifer systems: the Cambrian-Ordovician Aquifer, featuring dolomitic limestone and sandstone from Paleozoic eras approximately 500 million years old, and the Jordan Aquifer, a confined sandstone layer from the Ordovician period. Both are rich in carbonate minerals that dissolve into the water over long underground flow paths, yielding a hard supply with elevated calcium and magnesium content characteristic of these ancient rock systems. Recharge occurs over a broad regional area feeding these deep aquifers.
Very hard water in Clinton promotes significant limescale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Faucets and fixtures develop stubborn deposits, and soap lathering is poor, increasing detergent use and leaving laundry residue. A whole-house water softener is highly recommended; regular vinegar descaling or professional maintenance also helps. The 2025 Consumer Confidence Report confirms full compliance with state and federal requirements for 2024 testing; treatment includes disinfection and corrosion control, with lead and copper below EPA action levels and no notable PFAS violations reported.
Geology & Source: Cambrian-Ordovician and Jordan Aquifers — seven deep wells; ancient sandstone and dolomite ~500 million years old; carbonate minerals dissolve into groundwater producing a hard supply
Other Iowa Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clinton's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Clinton?
How does Clinton compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Clinton is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.