Nixa Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
545.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.62
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 Nixa, your appliances are currently losing 31% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Nixa | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -76% |
| Washing Machine | 5.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -58% |
| Water Heater | 6.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -57% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Nixa compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Nixa, Missouri | 231 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Ozark, Missouri | 151 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Springfield, Missouri | 143.5 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Republic, Missouri | 200.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Harrison, Arkansas | 176 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Nixa compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Nixa | 231 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Nixa's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Nixa, Missouri, in Christian County — a rapidly growing Christian County suburb south of Springfield in the southwest Missouri Ozarks, one of the fastest-expanding communities in the Springfield metro area — receives its municipal water from the City of Nixa Water Division or through the City of Springfield Utilities Water, which draws from the James River (a White River tributary) and local Ozark karst spring systems in the Springfield plateau south of the city.
The very hard 231 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 545.9 mg/L reflect the James River-Ozark watershed's exceptional Missouri Ozark carbonate geology. The James River and its tributaries drain the heart of the Ozark Plateau in southwest Missouri — underlain by the Ordovician Gasconade Dolomite, Roubidoux Formation (cherty dolomite), the St. Peter Sandstone, and the classic Ozark Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate sequence. The Ozark Plateau's extensive karst spring systems (the Springfield Plateau is dotted with hundreds of Ozark dolomite springs) provide continuous high-carbonate baseflow to the James River and its tributaries. This prolific dolomite spring baseflow from the ancient Cambrian-Ordovician Ozark carbonate sequence produces the region's characteristically very hard water — one of the hardest river supply zones in Missouri.
At 231 mg/L, Nixa's water is very hard. Scale builds rapidly in appliances within weeks, dishwashers require softener salt or rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop heavy calcium deposits. Monthly descaling of heating appliances is practical. A water softener is strongly recommended for Nixa homes. The PFAS level of 7.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Springfield metro's industrial and military legacy, Fort Leonard Wood (a major AFFF user in the Ozarks), and the James River-White River watershed's agricultural and industrial drainage contribute to the Christian County PFAS reading.
Geology & Source: Nixa in Christian County draws from City of Nixa Water or Springfield Water treating the James River or Ozark spring system — the James River and Nixa area drains the Ozark Plateau (Ordovician Gasconade Dolomite, Cambrian Roubidoux carbonate karst) south of Springfield — Ozark Cambrian-Ordovician dolomite karst spring drainage produces very hard water at 231 mg/L with elevated TDS 546 mg/L in this Christian County Missouri city.