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

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

Neosho 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

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

168 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 Neosho, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Neosho	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 Neosho compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Neosho, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Joplin, Missouri	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Webb City, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Carthage, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Bella Vista, Arkansas	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Neosho compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 168 mg/LpH: 7.9

Neosho Municipal Water Company, also known as NEOSHO PWS, serves about 12,626 residents in Neosho, Missouri. The utility draws its supply from surface water sources within the Neosho River watershed, treating it at facilities associated with the city's operations. You can reach the utility with questions at 417-451-8050 or kbrady@neoshomo.org, and there’s a 24/7 emergency line at 417-451-8012. The Neosho River watershed drains the karst landscapes of the Springfield Plateau section of the Ozark Plateaus physiographic province.

This region's geology is characterized by Mississippian limestones, including the Warsaw and Salem formations, as well as Ordovician and Cambrian dolomites and sandstones. As water flows over and through these carbonate-rich rock formations, it dissolves calcium and magnesium ions. This natural process, common in karst terrain where limestone is prevalent, results in a characteristically hard water supply for Neosho.

Scale buildup is a common consequence of Neosho's hard water, affecting pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, which can reduce their efficiency and shorten their lifespan. You might notice white deposits on fixtures, and you'll likely need more soap and detergent for cleaning. To combat these issues, regularly deliming appliances and flushing water heaters is advised. Many homeowners find that installing a water softener is a worthwhile investment, extending the life of their equipment and improving cleaning performance.

Geology & Source: Ozark Plateau karst; Mississippian limestones and Ordovician/Cambrian dolomites produce hard water due to carbonate dissolution

Other Missouri Water Reports

Joplin

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Webb City

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Carthage

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bella Vista

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

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 Neosho's water safe to drink?

Yes. Neosho'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 Neosho?

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

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