Saint Charles Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
170.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.28
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 Saint Charles, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Saint Charles | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -27% |
| Washing Machine | 9.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -18% |
| Water Heater | 11.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -24% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Saint Charles compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Saint Charles, Missouri | 104 mg/L | 3.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Maryland Heights, Missouri | 171.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Hazelwood, Missouri | 201.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Saint Ann, Missouri | 100 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Creve Coeur, Missouri | 251.5 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Saint Charles compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Saint Charles | 104 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Saint Charles's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Saint Charles, Missouri, the Saint Charles County seat on the Missouri River — Missouri's oldest town (established 1769 as Les Petites Côtes by French traders), the first Missouri state capital — draws its municipal water supply from the Missouri River via the City of Saint Charles Water Division, treating Missouri River water for the Saint Charles area. Saint Charles sits at the Missouri River's confluence approach to the Mississippi, receiving the full Missouri basin drainage from the Rockies and Great Plains. Water hardness in Saint Charles measures 104 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Saint Charles's moderate hardness reflects the Missouri River's diluted chemistry at the lower Missouri–St. Louis reach. Despite draining an enormous calcareous basin (the Great Plains Cretaceous Pierre Shale, Pennsylvanian calcareous formations, and Permian evaporite formations of Kansas and Nebraska), the Missouri River at Saint Charles has a surprisingly moderate hardness. The enormous discharge of the lower Missouri River (one of the highest in North America) dilutes the concentrated mineral input from the upper basin. Additionally, the Missouri River's natural sediment load at Saint Charles (the Missouri is still called the 'Big Muddy' for its suspended sediment) includes clay particles that can adsorb dissolved minerals, slightly reducing the dissolved hardness. The resulting 104 mg/L is moderately hard.
At 104 mg/L, Saint Charles residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits after several months — monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is practical maintenance. City of Saint Charles Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Missouri DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Missouri River via the City of Saint Charles Water Division — the Missouri River basin (Precambrian Rocky Mountain and Great Plains calcareous drainage — Yellowstone, Powder, Cheyenne, Kansas, and Platte River tributaries) in Saint Charles County at the Missouri–Mississippi confluence zone; moderately hard supply at 104 mg/L in Saint Charles County.