Ottawa Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
21.4 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
1128 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.98
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 Ottawa, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Ottawa | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3 yrs | 12 yrs | -75% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Ottawa compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ottawa, Kansas | 367 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Lawrence, Kansas | 372.5 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Gardner, Kansas | 404 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Olathe, Kansas | 340.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Topeka, Kansas | 177.5 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Ottawa compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ottawa | 367 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Ottawa's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Ottawa, Kansas, in Franklin County — the Franklin County seat adjacent to Garnett on the Marais des Cygnes River in east-central Kansas — receives its water from the City of Ottawa Water, drawing from the Marais des Cygnes River (Franklin County) through the east-central Kansas distribution.
The extremely hard 367 mg/L hardness and TDS of 1128 mg/L place Ottawa among the very hardest water communities in this dataset — the Pennsylvanian Pleasanton Group calcareous and Mississippian Burlington-Keokuk Limestone highly calcareous produce extremely hard water compounded by the Kansas Great Plains semi-arid evaporative concentration (compare El Dorado KS: 398/1201 in Butler County comparable; Ottawa similarly extremely hard on the east-central Kansas calcareous supply). The Marais des Cygnes at Franklin County — Pennsylvanian Pleasanton Group (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Mississippian Burlington-Keokuk Limestone (highly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Great Plains evaporative concentration (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 367 mg/L with TDS 1128, Ottawa's water is extremely hard. A water softener is essential to prevent severe scale damage. A reverse osmosis system is required for drinking water. The PFAS level of 5.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Franklin County east-central Kansas agricultural and industrial corridor contribute to Ottawa's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Ottawa in Franklin County draws from the City of Ottawa Water on the Marais des Cygnes River (Franklin County, east-central Kansas) — the Marais des Cygnes at Franklin County drains the Osage Plains (Pennsylvanian Pleasanton Group — calcareous) and Mississippian Burlington-Keokuk Limestone (highly calcareous) — Kansas Franklin County Marais des Cygnes River Pennsylvanian-Mississippian calcareous supply produces extremely hard water at 367 mg/L with TDS 1128 mg/L.