Pearl Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
145.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Pearl, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Pearl | 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 Pearl compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pearl, Mississippi | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Jackson, Mississippi | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Brandon, Mississippi | 162.5 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Byram, Mississippi | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Ridgeland, Mississippi | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Pearl compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pearl | ≈ 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 Pearl's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
City of Pearl Public Water System serves Pearl in Rankin County, Mississippi, a suburb east of Jackson. The utility operates wells drawing exclusively from the Sparta Sand Aquifer, with no named treatment plants specified in available reports. The system is contactable at 601-932-3500 and delivers water to residential and commercial customers with 24/7 emergency services. The 2024 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report confirms compliance with federal standards.
Pearl's water originates from the Sparta Sand Aquifer within the broader Pearl River watershed, which drains much of central Mississippi. The geology features Tertiary sands and gravels interspersed with limestone outcrops from the Eocene period, promoting dissolution of minerals into percolating waters. The aquifer's contact with calcareous rock formations imparts a hard character, as calcium and magnesium ions are naturally mobilised through karst-influenced recharge — without surface runoff dilution typical of river sources.
Hard water in Pearl leads to scale buildup in pipes, heaters, and appliances, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Hot water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines are most affected, with visible deposits on fixtures and reduced lather from soaps. Regular deliming and system flushing are recommended; a water softener is advised to prevent long-term plumbing damage. The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report shows no detectable PFAS under Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule #5; an overall C+ water score reflects 5 contaminants exceeding health advocacy guidelines despite meeting legal standards.
Geology & Source: Sparta Sand Aquifer — Eocene Tertiary unconsolidated sands and gravels; limestone outcrops and calcareous sediments leach calcium and magnesium through karst-influenced recharge, producing hard supply
Other Mississippi Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pearl's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Pearl?
How does Pearl compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Pearl is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.