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Waverly Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.4

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

249 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 Waverly, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn WaverlySoft Water CityEfficiency 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 Waverly compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Waverly, Iowa≈ 120–179 mg/L48.4 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Cedar Falls, Iowa≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Waterloo, Iowa≈ 180+ mg/L48.2 ppt🔴 Very Hardgroundwater
Marshalltown, Iowa≈ 180+ mg/L0 ppt🔴 Very Hardgroundwater
Mason City, Iowa≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater

National Benchmark

How Waverly compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Waverly≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Waverly's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 249 mg/LpH: 7.4

The Waverly Water Department supplies the city of Waverly, located in Bremer County, Iowa. While specific treatment plant details and primary sources aren't fully detailed online, the utility operates a municipal system serving the Waverly area and nearby communities. Publicly available information indicates the water supply is drawn from groundwater, influenced by the Cedar River watershed and the region's underlying Devonian-age carbonate geology. These limestone and dolomite formations within the Cedar Valley Group are known to introduce dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, into the water supply. This geological setting is characteristic of central and eastern Iowa.

The bedrock geology in Waverly consists of Devonian-age limestone and dolomite formations, specifically the Cedar Valley Group. As groundwater percolates through these carbonate rock units, it readily dissolves calcium and magnesium. This process leads to the naturally hard water that is typical for this region of northeastern Iowa. The mineral content contributes to the water's overall quality and characteristics, reflecting the geological history of the area.

Because the water is hard, homeowners in Waverly will likely find that scale buildup can affect pipes, water heaters, and appliances like dishwashers and washing machines. You might also notice reduced efficiency with soaps and detergents. To combat mineral deposits and maintain appliance longevity, installing a whole-house or point-of-use water softener is a practical recommendation. Additionally, the Waverly Water Department reported an exceedance of an EPA interim health advisory for PFAS in 2025, with three contaminants found above EPA health-based guidelines in at least one served city. Residents should review the utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for detailed information.

Geology & Source: Devonian-age limestone and dolomite of the Cedar Valley Group; carbonate bedrock readily dissolves calcium and magnesium, creating hard water

Other Iowa Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Waverly's water safe to drink?
Yes. Waverly'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 Waverly?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Waverly'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 Waverly compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Waverly (≈ 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 Waverly 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

pH

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.