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

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

Clarksdale Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.009 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

246 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 Clarksdale, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Clarksdale	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 Clarksdale compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Clarksdale, Mississippi	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Helena-West Helena, Arkansas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Cleveland, Mississippi	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Greenwood, Mississippi	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Forrest City, Arkansas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Clarksdale compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Clarksdale	≈ 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 Clarksdale's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 246 mg/LpH: 7.5

Clarksdale Public Utilities (CDPU) provides drinking water to over 15,000 residents in Coahoma County, Mississippi, primarily within the city of Clarksdale and surrounding areas in the Mississippi Delta. The utility sources water exclusively from groundwater wells tapping the Sparta and Meridian Upper Wilcox Aquifers. Treatment involves disinfection — likely chlorination — at facilities managed by CDPU at 416–420 Third Street, Clarksdale, MS 38614 (contact: 662-627-8499), with annual Consumer Confidence Reports documenting compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

The supply originates from the alluvial plain of the Mississippi River watershed, where groundwater flows through the unconsolidated sands and clays of the Sparta Sand and Meridian Upper Wilcox Aquifers. These Paleogene formations from the Wilcox Group feature interbedded calcareous sands and minor limestone stringers that naturally impart a hard character through mineral dissolution. The Delta's thick sequence of unconsolidated sediments overlies confined aquifers atop Cretaceous bedrock, recharged by precipitation percolating through Pleistocene terrace deposits and Holocene alluvium of the Mississippi River floodplain.

At moderately hard levels, scale buildup occurs in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency and lifespan; annual maintenance costs rise from mineral deposits clogging aerators and heating elements. Regular vinegar descaling and filter changes help; a whole-home water softener is recommended to prevent spotting on dishes and glassware and improve soap efficiency. The utility has violated MCLs for disinfection byproducts: TTHM averaged 105 µg/L (MCL 80 µg/L) in Q3 2022 and exceeded limits in 2024 Q3–Q4; one total coliform positive in August 2024 was resolved on resample; eight contaminants including arsenic and hexavalent chromium exceed health guidelines per independent testing. No specific pH, lead/copper, or PFAS data is available — contact the utility for the latest CCR.

Geology & Source: Mississippi Delta — Sparta Sand and Meridian Upper Wilcox Aquifers; Paleogene Wilcox Group unconsolidated sands with limestone and dolomite lenses; calcium and magnesium dissolution over Cretaceous bedrock produces moderately hard groundwater

Other Mississippi Water Reports

Helena-West Helena

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Cleveland

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Greenwood

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Forrest City

≈ 120–179 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clarksdale's water safe to drink?

Yes. Clarksdale'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 Clarksdale?

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

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