University City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.4 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
317.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.43
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 University City, your appliances are currently losing 22% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In University City | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -49% |
| Washing Machine | 7.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -37% |
| Water Heater | 9.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -39% |
Regional Water Comparison
How University City compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ University City, Missouri | 161.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Clayton, Missouri | 140.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Overland, Missouri | 145.5 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Webster Groves, Missouri | 257 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Jennings, Missouri | 193 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How University City compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ University City | 161.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes University City's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
University City, Missouri, in St. Louis County — a major inner-ring St. Louis County suburb (University City — commonly called 'U City' — is one of the most well-known first-ring St. Louis suburbs, directly adjacent to the western city limits of St. Louis), home of Washington University in St. Louis's campus border area (the Delmar Boulevard 'Delmar Loop' corridor in University City is the vibrant commercial and entertainment strip adjacent to the Washington University campus — one of the most celebrated urban commercial strips in the Midwest), a diverse St. Louis County community with a significant Jewish-American, South Asian-American, and African-American population, and home of the Pageant (a major St. Louis music venue) — draws its municipal water supply via Missouri American Water. Water hardness in University City measures 161.5 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
University City's moderate hardness reflects Missouri American Water's distribution to the inner-ring St. Louis County zone. The Missouri and Mississippi River blend treated by Missouri American Water draws from the calcareous Ordovician Gasconade Dolomite and Devonian Jefferson City Formation (highly calcareous Ozark carbonates) with Missouri River alluvial contribution. Missouri American Water's treatment and distribution to the University City zone produces the moderate 161.5 mg/L.
At 161.5 mg/L, University City residents encounter moderate-to-hard scale accumulation. Monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is recommended. Missouri American Water consistently delivers water meeting all Missouri DNR and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers via the Missouri American Water — the St. Louis County inner ring west St. Louis County corridor (Missouri–Mississippi River calcareous Ordovician–Silurian dolomite and Devonian limestone watershed — Missouri American Water west distribution to University City St. Louis County zone); moderately hard supply at 161.5 mg/L in St. Louis County.