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

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

Festus Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

mixed

pH Level

8.1

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

278 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 Festus, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Festus	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 Festus compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Festus, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	32.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	mixed
Arnold, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Oakville, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Waterloo, Illinois	≈ 180+ mg/L	43 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Columbia, Illinois	283 mg/L	41.7 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Festus compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: MixedTDS: 278 mg/LpH: 8.1

FESTUS PWS serves the city of Festus, Missouri, in Jefferson County, drawing its supply from purchased groundwater that is influenced by surface water. This supply originates from the Mississippi River watershed, within the Ozark Uplands. The water undergoes treatment at a facility utilizing filtration and disinfection processes with chloramines and chlorine. Annual Consumer Confidence Reports, like the 2024 edition, provide details on testing and compliance, which can be found on the city's archive site. For inquiries, residents can contact the utility directly.

Geologically, the Festus water supply is rooted in the Ozark Plateaus aquifer system, specifically within Missouri's Jefferson County. This area is characterized by karst topography developed in Paleozoic carbonate rock formations, primarily Mississippian limestones and dolomites such as the Burlington-Keokuk Formation and the St. Louis Limestone. As groundwater moves through fractures in these soluble rocks, it dissolves calcium and magnesium carbonates, naturally leading to a hard water supply with elevated mineral content.

Homeowners in Festus will likely notice the effects of this hard water, including scale buildup in appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, which can reduce their efficiency and lifespan. You might also find that laundry feels stiff and that soap doesn't lather as well as you'd expect. Regularly descaling fixtures, perhaps with a vinegar soak for showerheads, is a good practice. To combat these issues effectively and extend the life of your appliances, installing a water softener is often recommended.

Geology & Source: Ozark Plateaus aquifer system; Mississippian limestones and dolomites like Burlington-Keokuk Formation and St. Louis Limestone create hard water

Other Missouri Water Reports

Arnold

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Oakville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Waterloo

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Columbia

283 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Report an Issue

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 Festus's water safe to drink?

Yes. Festus'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 Festus?

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

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