How does Webb City's water compare to the national average?

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

Webb City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

7.8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

83 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 Webb City, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Webb City	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 Webb City compares to its nearest neighbours

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

National Benchmark

How Webb City compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Webb City	≈ 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 Webb City's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 83 mg/LpH: 7.8

Webb City Public Water Supply provides water to about 12,488 residents in Webb City, Jasper County, southwest Missouri. The utility purchases its surface water, likely from regional providers near Joplin, and does not perform primary treatment at its own facilities. You can reach them at 417-673-6297 or by mail at PO Box 30, Webb City, MO 64870. Their 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, which includes compliance and testing data, is available on the city's website, webbcitymo.org.

The water originates from the Spring River watershed in the Ozarks, an area known for its karst topography, complete with sinkholes, springs, and caves. This landscape is formed by the dissolution of Mississippian-age limestones, including the Keokuk and Warsaw formations. These carbonate rocks contribute to the water's hardness by leaching minerals, while interbedded chert layers add some siliceous elements. The Springfield Plateau Aquifer, a vast karst system, links surface water and shallow groundwater, influencing the moderately mineralized chemistry typical of regional supplies.

Homeowners in Webb City may notice scale buildup in pipes, appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, and washing machines, which can reduce efficiency and shorten their lifespan. Stubborn stains might appear on fixtures, and you'll likely need more soap and detergent to get a good lather. To combat these issues, consider regularly deliming appliances and flushing your water heater. Installing a water softener is a good idea for households looking to extend the life of their plumbing and improve cleaning performance. The 2024 CCR from webbcitymo.org mentions upstream treatment with chloramines, hypochlorite, and other disinfectants, with WEBB CITY PWS detecting three contaminants above EPA health-based MCLGs.

Geology & Source: Ozark Plateau karst; limestone-rich Mississippian formations like Burlington and Warsaw; high calcium and magnesium content from dissolution leads to hard water

Other Missouri Water Reports

Joplin

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Carthage

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Neosho

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Pittsburg

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

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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 Webb City's water safe to drink?

Yes. Webb City'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 Webb City?

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

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