Marshall Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.3 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
222.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.33
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 Marshall, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Marshall | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -35% |
| Washing Machine | 9 yrs | 12 yrs | -25% |
| Water Heater | 10.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -29% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Marshall compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Marshall, Minnesota | 125 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Worthington, Minnesota | 229 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Willmar, Minnesota | 184 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Brookings, South Dakota | 353.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Sioux Falls, South Dakota | 373 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Marshall compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Marshall | 125 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Marshall's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Marshall, Minnesota, in Lyon County — the Lyon County seat adjacent to Redwood Falls and Canby on the Redwood River in southwest Minnesota — receives its water from Marshall Utilities, drawing from the Redwood River or local glacial aquifer (Lyon County) through the southwest Minnesota distribution.
The moderately hard 125 mg/L hardness and TDS of 222.5 mg/L reflect the southwest Minnesota Lyon County Prairie Coteau supply's moderate calcareous character — reflecting the Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk and Pleistocene calcareous till typical of the Minnesota Prairie Coteau communities on the southwest Minnesota plateau, harder than the Minnesota River Valley communities drawing from the softer Wisconsin drift. The Redwood River watershed at Lyon County — Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Pleistocene Coteau des Prairies glacial till (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Pre-Cretaceous Precambrian basement (insoluble — minor dilutant).
At 125 mg/L, Marshall's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Lyon County southwest Minnesota agricultural-industrial corridor contribute to Marshall's readings.
Geology & Source: Marshall in Lyon County draws from the Marshall Utilities on the Redwood River or local Quaternary glacial aquifer (Lyon County, southwest Minnesota) — the Redwood River at Lyon County drains the Prairie Coteau (Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk — calcareous) through thick calcareous Pleistocene Coteau glacial till — Minnesota Lyon County Prairie Coteau Cretaceous-Pleistocene calcareous watershed produces moderately hard water at 125 mg/L with TDS 222.5 mg/L.