Marshalltown Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
316.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.48
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 Marshalltown, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Marshalltown | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -58% |
| Washing Machine | 6.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -44% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Marshalltown compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Marshalltown, Iowa | 180.5 mg/L | 3.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Newton, Iowa | 176.5 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Cedar Falls, Iowa | 163 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Altoona, Iowa | 276 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Ames, Iowa | 283.5 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Marshalltown compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Marshalltown | 180.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Marshalltown's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Marshalltown, Iowa, the Marshall County seat — a major central Iowa Iowa River city (Marshalltown is the Marshall County seat — a significant central Iowa community and one of the most important small industrial cities in Iowa; Marshalltown is known as the home of Lennox International (one of the world's largest manufacturers of heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment — Lennox was founded in Marshalltown in 1895 by Dave Lennox, and its presence shaped Marshalltown's industrial character for over a century); Marshalltown is also known for its significant Hispanic-American, primarily Mexican-American, community (the meatpacking and industrial plants in the Marshalltown area attracted a large Mexican-American workforce beginning in the 1990s; Marshalltown now has one of the most significant Hispanic-American populations in Iowa, with Spanish being the second language in much of the community)), a diverse Marshall County community with a significant Mexican-American, working-class, and legacy industrial population — draws its municipal water supply from the Iowa River via the City of Marshalltown Water Division. Water hardness in Marshalltown measures 180.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Marshalltown's hard supply reflects the central Iowa Marshall County Iowa River Paleozoic Platform dolomite's calcareous character. The Iowa River at Marshalltown drains the Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (calcareous). City of Marshalltown applies limited softening, producing the hard 180.5 mg/L.
At 180.5 mg/L, Marshalltown residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling and water softeners are recommended. City of Marshalltown Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Iowa DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Iowa River via the City of Marshalltown Water Division — the Marshall County central Iowa Iowa River Marshalltown corridor (Ordovician calcareous Prairie du Chien Dolomite — the calcareous central Iowa Marshall County Iowa River dolomite; limited softening); hard supply at 180.5 mg/L in Marshall County.