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

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

Muscatine Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

8.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.009 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

292 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 Muscatine, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Muscatine	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 Muscatine compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Muscatine, Iowa	≈ 120–179 mg/L	321 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Rock Island, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	56 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Davenport, Iowa	≈ 180+ mg/L	44.5 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Moline, Illinois	≈ 120–179 mg/L	67 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Bettendorf, Iowa	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Muscatine compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Muscatine	≈ 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 Muscatine home

Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →

Shop Now

What Makes Muscatine's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 292 mg/LpH: 8.3

Muscatine Power and Water (MPW) has provided drinking water to Muscatine, Iowa since 1900, serving Muscatine County and surrounding areas. The utility operates under standard EPA and Iowa Department of Natural Resources oversight. While specific treatment plant names and detailed source information are not available in current public sources, MPW maintains compliance with EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards and publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Residents seeking detailed water quality information should consult MPW's most recent report or contact the utility directly at mpw.org.

Muscatine is located within the Mississippi River watershed in eastern Iowa. The region's geology is dominated by Paleozoic carbonate bedrock—primarily Ordovician and Silurian dolomite and limestone formations. As water percolates through these soluble rock layers, it dissolves calcium and magnesium minerals, creating a hard water supply typical of much of Iowa. The local aquifer and surface water sources reflect this mineralogical character.

Muscatine's hard water means residents will likely notice mineral scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside water heaters. Dishes may spot, laundry may feel stiff, and some residents experience dry skin or hair. Appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines are particularly vulnerable to scale accumulation and reduced efficiency. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing infrastructure and extend appliance lifespan. Regular maintenance and descaling of fixtures can help mitigate these effects.

Geology & Source: Mississippi River watershed — Paleozoic carbonate bedrock including Ordovician and Silurian dolomite and limestone; carbonate layers dissolve readily, releasing calcium and magnesium; hard water typical of eastern Iowa

Other Iowa Water Reports

Rock Island

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Davenport

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Moline

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bettendorf

≈ 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 Muscatine's water safe to drink?

Yes. Muscatine'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 Muscatine?

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

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