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

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

Moberly 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

0.009 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

233 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 Moberly, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Moberly	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 Moberly compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Moberly, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	27.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Columbia, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Mexico, Missouri	≈ 180+ mg/L	7.1 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Fulton, Missouri	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Kirksville, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	19.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Moberly compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 233 mg/LpH: 7.9

The City of Moberly Public Water Supply serves about 14,000 residents in Randolph County, Missouri. Its water originates from surface sources, likely local streams or reservoirs within the Chariton River basin, a tributary of the Missouri River. Treatment is handled at the city's municipal plant before distribution by the Moberly Utilities Department. This system operates under EPA standards, overseen by the Missouri DNR, and publishes annual Consumer Confidence Reports.

The water's journey begins in the Chariton River watershed, part of the larger Missouri River basin. Central Missouri's karst terrain, characterized by Mississippian limestones like the Warsaw and Burlington groups, significantly influences the water chemistry. These carbonate-rich bedrock layers readily dissolve, imparting hardness through calcium bicarbonate. Pennsylvanian strata contribute minor sulfates, and thin soil layers can accelerate mineral pickup from agricultural runoff, resulting in a moderately mineralized to hard supply.

Homeowners in this region often notice accelerated scale buildup in appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, which can reduce efficiency by up to 30% and shorten their lifespan. You might also find that laundry feels stiffer, soap doesn't lather as easily, and your skin feels drier after showering. While monthly descaling with vinegar can help, installing a whole-house water softener is frequently recommended to protect your plumbing and appliances from the effects of this hard water. Services like Culligan often provide solutions ideal for Missouri homes experiencing these issues.

Geology & Source: Central Missouri karst limestone; Mississippian Burlington-Keokuk Limestone and Pennsylvanian shales/sandstones produce moderate to hard water.

Other Missouri Water Reports

Columbia

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Mexico

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Fulton

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Kirksville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Moberly's water safe to drink?

Yes. Moberly'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 Moberly?

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

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