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

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

Clive 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

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

667.2 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 Clive, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Clive	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 Clive compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Clive, Iowa	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Urbandale, Iowa	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
West Des Moines, Iowa	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Johnston, Iowa	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Grimes, Iowa	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Clive compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Clive	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

Bring Scarsdale-quality water to your Clive home

Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →

Shop Now

What Makes Clive's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 667.2 mg/LpH: 8.5

Clive Water Department supplies the city of Clive, Iowa, in Dallas County. The utility, located at 2123 NW 111th Street, draws its water from groundwater sources deep within the region. These sources tap into Iowa's glacial aquifer system and the Paleozoic carbonate bedrock below. Treatment facilities then process this mineral-rich supply before it reaches residents' taps.

The water's origin lies in Iowa's glacial drift overlaying ancient Paleozoic bedrock, specifically Ordovician and Silurian dolomite and limestone formations. These naturally soluble rock layers readily dissolve, releasing significant amounts of calcium and magnesium. This geological process is the direct cause of the hard water conditions prevalent throughout central Iowa.

Homeowners in Clive might notice scale forming on faucets and showerheads, a common sign of hard water. You'll likely find that soap and detergents don't lather as easily, requiring more product for cleaning. Over time, this mineral buildup can decrease the efficiency of appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, potentially shortening their lifespan. Installing a water softener is often recommended to mitigate these effects and protect your plumbing. Clive Water Department does publish an annual water quality report detailing detected contaminants and treatment summaries of their treatment processes.

Geology & Source: Glacial drift over Paleozoic bedrock; Ordovician and Silurian dolomite and limestone dissolve, causing hard water

Other Iowa Water Reports

Urbandale

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

West Des Moines

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Johnston

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Grimes

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

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 Clive's water safe to drink?

Yes. Clive'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 Clive?

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

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