How does Claiborne's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Claiborne (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L softer than average.

Claiborne Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

8.6

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

217 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.08

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · 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 Claiborne, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Claiborne	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	8.2 yrs	8.5 yrs	-4%
Washing Machine	11.5 yrs	12 yrs	-4%
Water Heater	14.4 yrs	15 yrs	-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How Claiborne compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Claiborne, Louisiana	≈ 0–59 mg/L	9.8 ppt	🟢 Soft	river
West Monroe, Louisiana	100 mg/L	0 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	groundwater
Monroe, Louisiana	≈ 120–179 mg/L	13.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Bastrop, Louisiana	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Ruston, Louisiana	165 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Claiborne compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Claiborne	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 None
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Claiborne's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 217 mg/LpH: 8.6

Claiborne Parish Water System draws its supply from groundwater sources, primarily utilizing the Sparta aquifer, which is the largest and most productive freshwater source. It also taps into the Cook Mountain aquifer and the Cockfield aquifer. These aquifers are replenished by precipitation, leakage from adjacent underground layers, and seasonal stream input. The parish's water infrastructure undergoes an annual review by the Louisiana Department of Health, with the 2024 assessment rating the primary system at 48 out of 100.

Claiborne Parish is situated within the Mississippi Embayment hydrogeologic region, characterized by Tertiary-age sedimentary rock formations. The Sparta aquifer, the main water source, consists of Tertiary-period sand and gravel deposits situated beneath the Cook Mountain Formation. This geological setting is known for producing soft water with low mineral content. Unlike regions with limestone or dolomite, these sandy, siliciclastic aquifers don't typically contain the carbonate-rich rocks that lead to hard water.

Because the groundwater is soft, issues related to hardness are minimal for appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, which tend to have longer service lives with less scale buildup. Soap and detergents will lather easily, generally negating the need for a home water softener. However, the soft water's chemistry may necessitate pH adjustment or corrosion control measures by the utility to prevent leaching of metals like copper and lead from plumbing. Despite the general softness, the 2024 Louisiana Department of Health grade of 48/100 reflects compliance challenges across various standards.

Geology & Source: Sparta aquifer, Cook Mountain Formation, Cockfield aquifer; Tertiary-age deposits yield soft water

Other Louisiana Water Reports

West Monroe

100 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Monroe

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bastrop

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Ruston

165 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Claiborne's water safe to drink?

Yes. Claiborne's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Claiborne?

Claiborne's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Claiborne compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Claiborne (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 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 Claiborne 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

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.