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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Monroe (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Monroe Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

7.1

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

461 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 Monroe, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Monroe	Soft Water City	Efficiency 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 Monroe compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Monroe, Louisiana	≈ 120–179 mg/L	13.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
West Monroe, Louisiana	100 mg/L	0 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	groundwater
Claiborne, Louisiana	≈ 0–60 mg/L	9.8 ppt	🟢 Soft	river
Bastrop, Louisiana	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Ruston, Louisiana	165 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Monroe compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Monroe	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Monroe's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 461 mg/LpH: 7.1

The Monroe Water System (PWSID: LA1073031), operated by the City of Monroe in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, serves Monroe and surrounding areas. The primary source is the Ouachita River, treated at the Monroe Water Treatment Plant. The North Monroe Water System (PWSID: LA1073035) provides additional supply in the region, also relying on river intakes. The utility earned a 95/100 Water Grade from the Louisiana Department of Health for 2024 based on federal drinking water standards.

The Ouachita River watershed spans the Ouachita Uplands, with headwaters in Paleozoic rock formations of the Ouachita Mountains — including the Mississippian Stanley Shale and Arkansas Novaculite — before transitioning to Cretaceous coastal plain sediments downstream. Surface water picks up dissolved minerals through carbonate dissolution from limestone and dolomite formations along this route, imparting a moderately mineralised character with natural bicarbonate buffering. No major aquifer is directly tapped; water chemistry reflects the surface geology of the drainage basin.

At a moderately hard level, users may notice reduced soap lathering, spotty dishes, and initial scale buildup in fixtures. Water heaters, dishwashers, and laundry machines are most affected as efficiency drops over time with mineral accumulation. Regular vinegar descaling, low-flow aerators, and magnetic conditioners help mitigate effects; a whole-house water softener is recommended for optimal appliance longevity. The system complies with federal standards per 2024 LDH grading, with no major violations beyond isolated turbidity events from winter storms. Treatment includes coagulation, filtration, disinfection, and corrosion control. Independent reports note TTHMs and chromium-6 above some health guidelines though within EPA MCLs; lead and copper compliance is affirmed in annual CCRs, with no PFAS data specified in available reports.

Geology & Source: Ouachita River watershed, northeastern Louisiana — headwaters drain Paleozoic Ouachita Mountains (Mississippian Stanley Shale, Arkansas Novaculite) transitioning to Cretaceous coastal plain sediments; carbonate dissolution from limestone and

Other Louisiana Water Reports

West Monroe

100 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Claiborne

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

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 Monroe's water safe to drink?

Yes. Monroe'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 Monroe?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Monroe'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 Monroe compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Monroe (≈ 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 Monroe 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.