How does Poplar Bluff's water compare to the national average?

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

Poplar Bluff 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

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

153 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 Poplar Bluff, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Poplar Bluff	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 Poplar Bluff compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Poplar Bluff, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Kennett, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Paragould, Arkansas	≈ 0–60 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater
Sikeston, Missouri	≈ 120–179 mg/L	18.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Blytheville, Arkansas	≈ 0–60 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Poplar Bluff compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Poplar Bluff	≈ 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 Poplar Bluff's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 153 mg/LpH: 7.9

Poplar Bluff Public Water Supply (PWS ID MO4010656), operated by the City of Poplar Bluff, serves approximately 17,043 residents in Butler County, southeast Missouri. The utility draws exclusively from groundwater wells within the local aquifer system, with no surface water sources or reservoirs involved. There are no named treatment plants; the water undergoes basic disinfection with chlorine but no advanced softening or filtration processes. The utility can be reached at 573-778-2249 or 700 HWY 142, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 for service details.

The supply originates in the Mississippi Embayment regional aquifer, specifically local sands and gravels of the Cockfield Formation and overlying alluvium in the Bootheel lowlands. Groundwater flows through unconsolidated Tertiary and Quaternary deposits interspersed with Cretaceous formations like the Nacatoch Sand, which overlie Paleozoic limestones exposed upgradient in the Ozarks. The geology imparts a hard character through natural dissolution of carbonate minerals from limestone and dolomite lenses, elevating calcium and magnesium in the confined aquifer.

In a moderately hard supply, residents may notice moderate scale buildup in dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters over time, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Faucet aerators and showerheads can clog, and laundry may feel less clean without extra detergent. Monthly vinegar descaling of fixtures and a water softener are recommended to prevent spotting on glassware and extend plumbing life. Missouri DNR testing shows overall good compliance with EPA standards, though two contaminants exceed health guidelines in recent reports; the system uses chlorine disinfection with no major violations reported recently.

Geology & Source: Mississippi Embayment aquifer; Quaternary alluvium and Tertiary sands overlying Cretaceous McNairy Sand and Ripley Formation; limestone and dolomite dissolution from Paleozoic and Mesozoic carbonate rocks yields hard water

Other Missouri Water Reports

Kennett

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Paragould

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Sikeston

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Blytheville

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

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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 Poplar Bluff's water safe to drink?

Yes. Poplar Bluff'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 Poplar Bluff?

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

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