Arkansas City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.6 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
437.3 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 Arkansas City, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Arkansas City | 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 Arkansas City compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Arkansas City, Kansas | 181 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Winfield, Kansas | 356.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Ponca City, Oklahoma | 367.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Derby, Kansas | 196 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Haysville, Kansas | 176.5 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Arkansas City compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Arkansas City | 181 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Arkansas City's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Arkansas City, Kansas, in Cowley County — a Cowley County city adjacent to Winfield and Ponca City (OK) on the Arkansas River at the Kansas-Oklahoma border — receives its water from the Arkansas City Water Department, drawing from the Arkansas River and local groundwater wells in the Cowley County alluvial aquifer through the south-central Kansas distribution.
The hard 181 mg/L hardness and TDS of 437.3 mg/L reflect the Cowley County Arkansas Valley supply's hard calcareous character — the Permian Wellington Formation contributes dissolved calcium and sulfate, while Quaternary Arkansas River alluvium adds additional calcareous minerals in a naturally arid watershed (compare Winfield KS: 356.5/1082.6 in Cowley County much harder from deeper Permian draw; Bartlesville OK: 174/395 in Washington County comparable; Arkansas City moderate-hard from the Cowley County Arkansas River-Permian supply). The Arkansas River at Cowley County — Permian Wellington Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Quaternary Arkansas alluvium (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Permian Ninnescah Shale (slightly calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 181 mg/L with TDS 437, Arkansas City's water is hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, water heaters benefit from periodic flushing. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 2.9 ppt is low — no urgent filtration required, warrants routine monitoring only. Review the Arkansas City Water Department's annual water quality report for the latest data.
Geology & Source: Arkansas City in Cowley County draws from the Arkansas City Water on the Arkansas River (Cowley County, south-central Kansas) — the Arkansas Valley at Cowley County is developed in Permian Wellington Formation (calcareous) and Quaternary Arkansas alluvium (calcareous) — Kansas Cowley County Arkansas River Permian-Quaternary calcareous supply produces hard water at 181 mg/L with TDS 437.3 mg/L.