Farmington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
180+ mg/L
Very Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
146 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.91
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 Farmington, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Farmington | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 6.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -45% |
| Water Heater | 8.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Farmington compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Farmington, Missouri | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 13.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Festus, Missouri | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 32.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
| Waterloo, Illinois | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 43 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Arnold, Missouri | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Columbia, Illinois | 283 mg/L | 41.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Farmington compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Farmington | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Farmington's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
FARMINGTON PWS is the public water system serving approximately 18,217 residents in Farmington, St. Francois County, Missouri. The utility sources its water exclusively from groundwater wells, with operations managed from 110 W Columbia, Farmington, MO 63640 (contact: 573-756-1701, ext. 103). No named treatment plant is specified in available reports, but standard groundwater disinfection — likely chlorination — is applied. Treatment also addresses naturally occurring contaminants including arsenic and TTHMs identified in system analyses, and residents are encouraged to review the latest Consumer Confidence Report for current compliance data.
Farmington's supply originates from the Ozark Plateaus aquifer system, specifically the karstic St. Francois unit within the broader Ozark aquifer. The dominant rock types are Ordovician dolomites and limestones — including the Everton and Potosi formations — characterized by karst features that accelerate mineral dissolution. Prolonged groundwater contact with these carbonate-rich Paleozoic rocks releases significant calcium and magnesium ions, producing a hard supply typical of the region's karstic geology.
Very hard water in Farmington promotes significant scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Soap lathering is poor, leaving films on dishes and skin. Regular vinegar descaling of fixtures and annual flushing of water heaters are recommended. A water softener is strongly recommended to prevent mineral accumulation and improve appliance performance. The system reports 3 contaminants above EPA health-based MCLGs; additional contaminants including arsenic, chromium-6, and TTHMs have been noted in analyses, warranting review of the latest Consumer Confidence Report.
Geology & Source: Ozark Plateaus aquifer — St. Francois unit; Ordovician dolomite and limestone including Everton and Potosi formations; karst dissolution of carbonate-rich Paleozoic rocks produces hard groundwater with elevated calcium and magnesium
Other Missouri Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Farmington's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Farmington?
How does Farmington compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Farmington 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.