Pendleton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
253.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.27
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 Pendleton, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Pendleton | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -26% |
| Washing Machine | 9.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 11.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Pendleton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pendleton, Oregon | 99.5 mg/L | 2.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Hermiston, Oregon | 45.5 mg/L | 1.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Walla Walla, Washington | 71.5 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Kennewick, Washington | 75.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Pasco, Washington | 47.5 mg/L | 2.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Pendleton compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pendleton | 99.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Pendleton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Pendleton, Oregon, in Umatilla County — the Umatilla County seat adjacent to Hermiston and Milton-Freewater in the Umatilla River valley of northeast Oregon, famous for the Pendleton Round-Up and the Pendleton Woolen Mills — receives its municipal water from Pendleton Water Utilities, drawing from McKay Reservoir on the McKay Creek (Umatilla River tributary, Umatilla County) through the Pendleton treatment plant.
The moderately hard 99.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 253.6 mg/L reflect the northeast Oregon Blue Mountains watershed's basalt and terrane character. The Umatilla River at Umatilla County drains the Blue Mountains — Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group (the dominant Columbia Plateau volcanic unit — moderately basic, moderately soluble compared to granite), Triassic Wallowa Terrane (accreted arc terrane — moderately calcareous), and Quaternary loess deposits (calcareous windblown silt from the Columbia Basin loess belt). The Columbia River Basalt moderate solubility produces the moderately hard Blue Mountains supply.
At 99.5 mg/L, Pendleton's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 2.6 ppt is very low — the Umatilla Chemical Depot (Umatilla County — the primary northeast Oregon industrial facility, recently closed) and the Pendleton regional PFAS background contribute to Pendleton's very clean readings.
Geology & Source: Pendleton in Umatilla County draws from Pendleton Water Utilities on McKay Reservoir (Umatilla River, Umatilla County, northeast Oregon) — the Umatilla drains the Blue Mountains (Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group, Triassic Wallowa Terrane — moderately basic basalt) — Oregon Umatilla County Blue Mountains Columbia River Basalt watershed produces moderately hard water at 99.5 mg/L with TDS 253.6 mg/L in this Umatilla County Oregon city.