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

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

Florissant Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

7.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.004 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

296.3 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 Florissant, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Florissant	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 Florissant compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Florissant, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Ferguson, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Hazelwood, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Old Jamestown, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Saint Ann, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	3.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Florissant compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 296.3 mg/LpH: 7.9

Florissant, Missouri is supplied by the City of St. Louis Water Division, drawing from the Missouri River via two major treatment plants: the Howard Bend Plant and the Chain of Rocks Plant, the latter at the Missouri River's confluence with the Mississippi River. The utility serves St. Louis County, including Florissant, producing approximately 135 million gallons daily to around 52,000 residents. The Missouri River watershed spans over 529,000 square miles across 10 states, with key Missouri segments influenced by the Osage and Gasconade sub-basins.

The Missouri River flows through Paleozoic bedrock including Mississippian-age limestones — particularly the Warsaw and Salem formations — alongside Pennsylvanian shales and sandstones, overlain by glacial till and loess from the Pleistocene. The Burlington Limestone and related carbonate formations dissolve calcium and magnesium ions through natural rock weathering and soil leaching, imparting a hard character typical of this limestone-karst watershed before the water reaches treatment.

Hard water from this supply causes scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Kettles and faucets develop white deposits; laundry can feel stiff without additives. Regular vinegar descaling and low-flow fixtures help mitigate effects; a water softener is recommended for affected households. Post-treatment pH runs 9.4–10.2; lead is well below action levels at 0.001 µg/L, and treatment includes coagulation, filtration, chlorine disinfection (2.5 mg/L), and fluoride addition (0.6 mg/L).

Geology & Source: Missouri River watershed; Pennsylvanian and Mississippian limestones, shales, and sandstones overlain by glacial till — Burlington Limestone dissolves calcium and magnesium, producing a hard supply typical of limestone-karst terrain

Other Missouri Water Reports

Ferguson

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Hazelwood

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Old Jamestown

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Saint Ann

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Florissant's water safe to drink?

Yes. Florissant'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 Florissant?

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

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