Indianola Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.3 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
453.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.61
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 Indianola, your appliances are currently losing 30% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Indianola | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -75% |
| Washing Machine | 5.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -57% |
| Water Heater | 6.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -57% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Indianola compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Indianola, Iowa | 228 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Des Moines, Iowa | 214 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| West Des Moines, Iowa | 133.5 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Clive, Iowa | 290 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Altoona, Iowa | 276 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Indianola compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Indianola | 228 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Indianola's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Indianola, Iowa, in Warren County — the Warren County seat adjacent to Norwalk and Carlisle in south-central Iowa — receives its municipal water from the Indianola Water Division, drawing from the North River (Warren County, a tributary of the Des Moines River) through the south-central Iowa water treatment system.
The very hard 228 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 453.8 mg/L reflect the south-central Iowa North River supply's intense calcareous character — consistent with other Iowa Des Moines River tributary communities. The North River (Warren County) drains the Iowa Drift Plain — Pennsylvanian Cherokee Group (calcareous coal-measure shale — primary hardness contributor at south-central Iowa), calcareous Pleistocene Wisconsin Till (glacially ground Pennsylvanian and Mississippian carbonate — dominant surface hardness contributor), and Mississippian Burlington Limestone (calcareous — bedrock leaching contribution). The Pennsylvanian calcareous and Pleistocene glacial till produces the very hard Iowa supply.
At 228 mg/L with TDS 454, Indianola's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended. Scale builds rapidly on all surfaces, appliance lifespans are significantly shortened, and water heaters require annual descaling without softening. The PFAS level of 4.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Warren County south-central Iowa agricultural-industrial corridor and the Des Moines River PFAS background from the Iowa metro industrial complex contribute to Indianola's readings.
Geology & Source: Indianola in Warren County draws from the Indianola Water Division on the North River (Warren County, south-central Iowa) — the North River drains the Iowa Drift Plain (Pennsylvanian Cherokee Group calcareous shale, calcareous Pleistocene Wisconsin Till) — Iowa Warren County North River Iowa Drift Plain calcareous watershed produces very hard water at 228 mg/L with TDS 453.8 mg/L in this Warren County Iowa city.