Lemay Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
384 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.49
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 Lemay, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lemay | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -59% |
| Washing Machine | 6.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lemay compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lemay, Missouri | 183.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Mehlville, Missouri | 222 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Affton, Missouri | 204 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Oakville, Missouri | 100 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Concord, Missouri | 189 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Lemay compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lemay | 183.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Lemay's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lemay, Missouri, in Saint Louis County — an unincorporated Saint Louis County community adjacent to Mehlville and Bayless in the south St. Louis metro — receives its municipal water from Missouri American Water, drawing from the Mississippi River at the Midwest Water treatment plant (Saint Louis County) through the Missouri American system.
The hard 183.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 384 mg/L reflect the St. Louis metro Mississippi River supply's carbonate character. The Mississippi River at Saint Louis accumulates the combined drainage from the Missouri Ozarks — Ordovician Gasconade Dolomite (the dominant Ozark carbonate platform — very high purity dolomite), Mississippian Salem Limestone (calcareous), and the Iowa-Illinois carbonate plain (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, Devonian Wapsipinicon Group). The Ozark carbonate and Mississippi Valley carbonate contributions produce the hard St. Louis metro river supply.
At 183.5 mg/L, Lemay'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 5.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Saint Louis County south metro industrial corridor, the Mississippi River PFAS legacy from upstream industrial discharges (St. Louis and Missouri River PFAS from 3M manufacturing and defense industry), and the regional PFAS background contribute to Lemay's readings.
Geology & Source: Lemay in Saint Louis County draws from Missouri American Water on the Mississippi River (Saint Louis County, southeast Missouri) — the Mississippi at St. Louis drains the Missouri Ozarks (Ordovician Gasconade Dolomite, Mississippian Salem Limestone) and the Iowa-Illinois carbonate plain — Missouri Saint Louis County Mississippi River Ozark carbonate watershed produces hard water at 183.5 mg/L with TDS 384 mg/L in this Saint Louis County Missouri community.