Hermiston Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2.7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
86.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.12
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 Hermiston, your appliances are currently losing 6% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hermiston | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -5% |
| Washing Machine | 11.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -1% |
| Water Heater | 13.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -8% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hermiston compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hermiston, Oregon | 45.5 mg/L | 1.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Kennewick, Washington | 75.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Tri-Cities, Washington | 26 mg/L | 1.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Pasco, Washington | 47.5 mg/L | 2.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Richland, Washington | 31.5 mg/L | 1.8 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Hermiston compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hermiston | 45.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Hermiston's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hermiston, Oregon, in Umatilla County — a Umatilla County city adjacent to Boardman and Pendleton on the Columbia River in the Columbia Basin — receives its municipal water from the Hermiston Water Division, drawing from the Columbia River at the Hermiston intake (Umatilla County) through the city treatment plant.
The very soft 45.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 86.1 mg/L reflect the Columbia Basin's volcanic geology. The Columbia River at Hermiston flows through the Columbia Basin — Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG — the massive mafic plateau basalt covering the Columbia Plateau, insoluble, produces inherently very soft water), the Pliocene Ellensburg Formation (slightly calcareous but thin), and Pleistocene Missoula Flood deposits. The dominant Columbia River Basalt Group's insoluble mafic character produces the soft supply.
At 45.5 mg/L, Hermiston's water is very soft — essentially no scale forms, soap lathers very abundantly, and appliances maintain excellent efficiency. Annual maintenance is sufficient. The PFAS level of 1.6 ppt is among the lowest in the dataset — the Umatilla County rural Columbia Basin agricultural setting, the Umatilla Chemical Depot (northeast Oregon — but PFAS not the primary contaminant), and the remote Columbia River mafic watershed contribute to Hermiston's very clean water profile.
Geology & Source: Hermiston in Umatilla County draws from the Hermiston Water Division on the Columbia River (Umatilla County, northeast Oregon) — the Columbia at Hermiston flows through the Columbia Basin (Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group — insoluble mafic) — Oregon Umatilla County Columbia River basalt watershed produces very soft water at 45.5 mg/L with TDS 86.1 mg/L in this Umatilla County Oregon city.