Spencer Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
435.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.59
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 Spencer, your appliances are currently losing 30% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Spencer | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -73% |
| Washing Machine | 5.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -55% |
| Water Heater | 6.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -55% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Spencer compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Spencer, Iowa | 222 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Storm Lake, Iowa | 270 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Worthington, Minnesota | 229 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Fairmont, Minnesota | 100.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Fort Dodge, Iowa | 314 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Spencer compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Spencer | 222 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Spencer home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Spencer's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Spencer, Iowa, in Clay County — the Clay County seat adjacent to Milford and Hartley on the Little Sioux River in northwest Iowa — receives its water from the City of Spencer Water Department, drawing from the Little Sioux River through the northwest Iowa distribution.
The very hard 222 mg/L hardness and TDS of 435.4 mg/L reflect the Clay County Little Sioux River supply's very hard character — the Cretaceous Niobrara Formation is a highly calcareous chalk and limestone formation in northwest Iowa, and the Quaternary Iowa glacial till concentrates calcareous minerals from the glacially-deposited calcareous till plains of Clay County (compare Milford IA: 218/426 in Dickinson County comparable; Hartley IA: 225/445 in O'Brien County comparable; Spencer consistent very hard from the same Clay County Little Sioux River Cretaceous calcareous supply). The Little Sioux watershed — Cretaceous Niobrara Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Quaternary Iowa glacial till (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Little Sioux alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 222 mg/L with TDS 435, Spencer's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The PFAS level of 4.6 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review the City of Spencer's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Spencer in Clay County draws from the Spencer Water on the Little Sioux River (Clay County, northwest Iowa) — the Little Sioux River at Clay County drains Cretaceous Niobrara Formation (calcareous) and Quaternary Iowa glacial till (calcareous) — Iowa Clay County Little Sioux River Cretaceous calcareous supply produces very hard water at 222 mg/L with TDS 435.4 mg/L.