Jackson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
343.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.45
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 Jackson, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Jackson | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -53% |
| Washing Machine | 7.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -39% |
| Water Heater | 8.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -41% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Jackson compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Jackson, Missouri | 170.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Cape Girardeau, Missouri | 227.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Sikeston, Missouri | 254 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Carbondale, Illinois | 210 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Herrin, Illinois | 223.5 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Jackson compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Jackson | 170.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Jackson's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Jackson, Missouri, in Cape Girardeau County — the Cape Girardeau County seat adjacent to Cape Girardeau and Gordonville in southeast Missouri — receives its municipal water from the Jackson Water Division, drawing from local Cape Girardeau County sources through the southeast Missouri water treatment system.
The hard 170.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 343.9 mg/L reflect the southeast Missouri supply's hard Ozark Plateau calcareous character — consistent with other southeast Missouri communities (Cape Girardeau: ~168 mg/L; Poplar Bluff: ~175 mg/L). The Cape Girardeau County watershed is underlain by Ozark Plateau formations — Ordovician St. Peter Sandstone (slightly calcareous), Mississippian Ste. Genevieve Limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Mississippian St. Louis Limestone (calcareous). The Mississippian limestone carbonate dissolution on the Ozark Plateau produces the hard southeast Missouri supply.
At 170.5 mg/L, Jackson's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 5.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Cape Girardeau County southeast Missouri industrial corridor and the Mississippi River PFAS background from the St. Louis-Memphis industrial complex contribute to Jackson's readings.
Geology & Source: Jackson in Cape Girardeau County draws from the Jackson Water Division on the Mississippi River and local Ozark Plateau aquifer (Cape Girardeau County, southeast Missouri) — the Cape Girardeau watershed integrates Ordovician St. Peter Sandstone calcareous and Mississippian Ste. Genevieve Limestone (calcareous) — Missouri Cape Girardeau County Mississippi River Ozark calcareous watershed produces hard water at 170.5 mg/L with TDS 343.9 mg/L.