Lexington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
303 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Lexington, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lexington | 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 Lexington compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lexington, Nebraska | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Kearney, Nebraska | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| North Platte, Nebraska | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 23.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Hastings, Nebraska | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 17.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Grand Island, Nebraska | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 50.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Lexington compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lexington | ≈ 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 Lexington's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Lexington Water Company supplies drinking water to about 11,479 residents in Lexington, Nebraska. Operating from 406 E 7th Street, the utility draws all its water from groundwater sources, which are then treated before reaching the public. Lexington's water originates in the High Plains Aquifer, a vast underground reservoir stretching across the Great Plains. This aquifer is composed of sand and gravel layers from the Quaternary period resting atop sediments of the Tertiary Ogallala Formation. As the groundwater travels through these layers and the underlying limestone and chalk, it picks up substantial amounts of calcium and magnesium, leading to the water's characteristic hardness.
The High Plains Aquifer system in this area features Quaternary sand and gravel deposits overlying the Tertiary Ogallala Formation; groundwater passing through limestone and chalk layers dissolves calcium and magnesium, resulting in hard water.
Homeowners in Lexington will likely observe scale deposits forming in appliances like water heaters and kettles over time. You might also notice that soap doesn't lather as easily, and dishes and glasses could come out of the dishwasher spotted. To combat these issues and help your appliances last longer, installing a water softener is a good idea. The City of Lexington Water Company has also noted potential contamination concerns, including copper and certain chemicals like dinoseb. For the most current information on water quality testing, treatment processes, and regulatory compliance, it's best to review their latest Consumer Confidence Report. If you have questions, you can contact the utility directly at 308-324-2341.
Geology & Source: High Plains Aquifer system; Quaternary sand and gravel over Tertiary Ogallala Formation; limestone and chalk layers dissolve calcium and magnesium, producing hard water
Other Nebraska Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lexington's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Lexington?
How does Lexington compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Lexington is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.