Storm Lake Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
594.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.72
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 Storm Lake, your appliances are currently losing 36% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Storm Lake | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -70% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Storm Lake compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Storm Lake, Iowa | 270 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Spencer, Iowa | 222 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Fort Dodge, Iowa | 314 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Worthington, Minnesota | 229 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Sioux City, Iowa | 164.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Storm Lake compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Storm Lake | 270 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Storm Lake's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Storm Lake, Iowa, in Buena Vista County — the Buena Vista County seat adjacent to Cherokee and Spencer on Storm Lake in northwest Iowa — receives its water from the City of Storm Lake Water Department, drawing from Storm Lake and the Boyer River supply through the northwest Iowa distribution.
The very hard 270 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 594.4 mg/L reflect the Buena Vista County supply's very hard calcareous character — the Cretaceous Niobrara Formation and Quaternary Iowa loess and glacial till are highly calcareous formations in the northwest Iowa drift plain, where thick glacial deposits concentrate calcareous mineral content from their limestone-rich drift material (compare Cherokee IA: 266/583 in Cherokee County comparable; Spencer IA: 273/605 in Clay County comparable; Storm Lake consistent very hard from the same Buena Vista County Boyer River Cretaceous calcareous supply). The Boyer watershed — Cretaceous Niobrara Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Quaternary Iowa loess and glacial till (highly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Boyer River alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 270 mg/L with TDS 594, Storm Lake's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The PFAS level of 5.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the City of Storm Lake's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Storm Lake in Buena Vista County draws from the Storm Lake Water on the Boyer River supply (Buena Vista County, northwest Iowa) — the Boyer watershed drains Cretaceous Niobrara Formation (calcareous) and Quaternary Iowa loess and glacial till (highly calcareous) — Iowa Buena Vista County Boyer River Cretaceous calcareous supply produces very hard water at 270 mg/L with TDS 594.4 mg/L.