How does Jenks's water compare to the national average?

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

Jenks Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

561.1 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 Jenks, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Jenks	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 Jenks compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Jenks, Oklahoma	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Glenpool, Oklahoma	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Bixby, Oklahoma	140 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Tulsa, Oklahoma	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Sapulpa, Oklahoma	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Jenks compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Jenks	≈ 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 Jenks's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 561.1 mg/LpH: 8.5

JENKS PWA (Jenks Public Works Authority) serves the city of Jenks in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, with a population of around 25,000. The utility purchases all treated drinking water from the City of Tulsa, which sources it from three reservoirs: Lake Oologah on the Verdigris River, Lake Spavinaw on Spavinaw Creek, and Lake Hudson on the Neosho River. Treatment occurs at the Tulsa Jewell Water Treatment Plant using chloramines, chlorine, and chlorine dioxide for disinfection.

The supply draws from the Arkansas River basin watershed, spanning the Ozark Plateau transition into the Cherokee Platform. Underlying geology features Pennsylvanian-age Cherokee Group shales, sandstones, and thin limestones overlying thicker Mississippian limestones like the Boone Formation. These carbonate-rich formations contribute dissolved minerals to runoff and reservoir inflows, yielding a moderately mineralised supply with natural hardness from geologic dissolution rather than deep groundwater aquifers.

Moderately hard water promotes scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency by 20–30% over time and shortening appliance life. Faucet aerators and showerheads may clog, while laundry feels stiff without softeners. Routine maintenance includes monthly vinegar descaling for fixtures and annual heater flushing. A water softener is recommended for households with affected appliances to extend longevity and improve soap efficiency. The supply meets EPA standards with no specific PFAS or lead/copper violations reported recently; pH typically 7.5–8.5 in the treated supply.

Geology & Source: Arkansas River watershed — Pennsylvanian Cherokee Group shales and limestones overlying Mississippian Boone Formation; carbonate dissolution from karstic geology imparts moderate hardness to Lake Oologah, Lake Spavinaw, and Lake Hudson supplies

Other Oklahoma Water Reports

Glenpool

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bixby

140 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Tulsa

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Sapulpa

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jenks's water safe to drink?

Yes. Jenks'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 Jenks?

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

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