Gladstone Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
620.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.67
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · 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 Gladstone, your appliances are currently losing 33% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Gladstone | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -64% |
| Water Heater | 5.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -63% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Gladstone compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gladstone, Missouri | 250.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Kansas City, Missouri | 256 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Kansas City, Kansas | 314.5 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Liberty, Missouri | 195.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Independence, Missouri | 141.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Gladstone compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gladstone | 250.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Gladstone's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Gladstone, Missouri, in Clay County — a major north Kansas City suburban community (Gladstone is a significant Clay County city — a north Kansas City suburb adjacent to Kansas City proper and North Kansas City; Gladstone is one of the most established north Kansas City suburban communities — a primarily residential city that developed in the post-WWII suburban era as a family-oriented north Kansas City suburb; Gladstone is known for its strong community identity and its quality of life — the city consistently invests in parks and recreation (the Gladstone Community Center and the city's extensive parks system are important community assets); Gladstone is adjacent to major Kansas City northland commercial corridors along I-35 and MO-1 (Barry Road and NW 72nd Street), a diverse Clay County community with a primarily white working-class and middle-class Kansas City suburban family population, with growing diversity including Hispanic-American and African-American residents — draws its municipal water supply from the Missouri River via Missouri American Water. Water hardness in Gladstone measures 250.5 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Gladstone's very hard supply reflects the north Kansas City Clay County Missouri River Valley's calcareous character. The Missouri River at Kansas City carries dissolved carbonates from the Great Plains, and limited softening produces the very hard 250.5 mg/L.
At 250.5 mg/L, Gladstone residents face significant hard water challenges. Regular water softeners and descaling are strongly recommended. Missouri American Water consistently delivers water meeting all Missouri DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Missouri River via the Missouri American Water (KC area) — the Clay County north Kansas City suburban Gladstone corridor (Pennsylvanian calcareous Missouri River Valley limestone — the calcareous north Kansas City Clay County Missouri River Valley corridor; limited softening); very hard at 250.5 mg/L in Clay County.