Marion Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
290.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.45
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 Marion, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Marion | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -53% |
| Washing Machine | 7.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -39% |
| Water Heater | 8.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -41% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Marion compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Marion, Iowa | 170.5 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Cedar Rapids, Iowa | 167.5 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| North Liberty, Iowa | 203 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Coralville, Iowa | 343.5 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Iowa City, Iowa | 257 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Marion compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Marion | 170.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Marion's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Marion, Iowa, in Linn County — a major Linn County suburb directly northeast of Cedar Rapids, one of Iowa's fastest-growing cities (Marion has consistently been among Iowa's fastest-growing communities), a primarily residential suburban city in the Cedar Rapids metro, and a diverse Linn County community in the east Iowa corridor — draws its municipal water supply from the Cedar River and alluvial wells via the City of Marion Water Division. Water hardness in Marion measures 170.5 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Marion's moderate hardness reflects the Linn County Cedar River watershed's calcareous Iowa Paleozoic carbonate geology and treatment characteristics. The Cedar River at Marion–Linn County drains: the Devonian Wapsipinicon Limestone and Cedar Valley Formation (highly calcareous marine limestone of the Iowa Devonian carbonate platform); the Silurian Hopkinton Dolomite (highly calcareous dolomite); and the Wisconsin Age calcareous glacial outwash of the Cedar River Valley. The City of Marion applies lime softening producing the moderate 170.5 mg/L.
At 170.5 mg/L, Marion residents encounter moderately hard scale accumulation. Monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is recommended. City of Marion Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Iowa DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Cedar River and groundwater from the Iowa Shallow Alluvial Aquifer via the City of Marion Water Division (Cedar Rapids interconnect) — the Linn County east Iowa Cedar River Valley (Devonian calcareous Wapsipinicon Limestone and Silurian calcareous Hopkinton Dolomite of the Iowa Paleozoic carbonate platform; Cedar River alluvial supply with lime softening); moderately hard supply at 170.5 mg/L in Linn County.