Lee's Summit Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
374.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.48
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 Lee's Summit, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lee's Summit | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -58% |
| Washing Machine | 6.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -44% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lee's Summit compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lee's Summit, Missouri | 180.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Raytown, Missouri | 180.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Raymore, Missouri | 179.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Blue Springs, Missouri | 250.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Grandview, Missouri | 289 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Lee's Summit compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lee's Summit | 180.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Lee's Summit's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lee's Summit, Missouri, a major Kansas City suburb in southern Jackson County, draws its municipal water supply through the City of Lee's Summit Water Utilities, sourcing from the Missouri-American Water Company (Missouri American Water — a subsidiary of American Water Works Company) regional system, which draws treated Missouri River water from the Missouri River intake in the Kansas City metropolitan area, supplemented by Blue River watershed storage at the Swope Park Reservoir system. Water hardness measures 180.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Lee's Summit's hard supply reflects the Missouri River system's significant carbonate mineral load at the Kansas City reach. The Missouri River collects drainage from 529,000 square miles of the northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountains: the upper Missouri drains the Montana Rocky Mountain Front and North Dakota–Montana Prairie calcareous till; the Platte River contributes Nebraska Loess Hills calcareous loess drainage; the Kansas River delivers drainage from the Cretaceous chalk and calcareous formation of Kansas. By the Kansas City reach, the Missouri River carries significant dissolved calcium from multiple calcareous source regions. The southern Jackson County distribution system, serving Lee's Summit, delivers Missouri River-sourced water that tests harder than some northern Kansas City zones.
At 180.5 mg/L, Lee's Summit residents face regular hard water challenges. Scale deposits form on faucet aerators, showerheads, shower glass, and tile within weeks — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is standard maintenance. Dishwashers require rinse-aid for acceptable glassware, and water heaters benefit from annual inspection for element scale. City of Lee's Summit Water Utilities and Missouri-American Water consistently deliver water meeting all Missouri DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Missouri River via the City of Lee's Summit Water Utilities or Kansas City Water Services regional infrastructure — the Missouri River system receives calcareous Pennsylvanian limestone and Cretaceous sedimentary formations from the Missouri Basin; the southern Jackson County distribution zone shows hard supply at 180.5 mg/L reflecting Missouri River system carbonate mineral loading.