Mitchell Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.9 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
267.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.31
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 Mitchell, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Mitchell | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -33% |
| Washing Machine | 9.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -23% |
| Water Heater | 10.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -27% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Mitchell compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mitchell, South Dakota | 118 mg/L | 1.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Huron, South Dakota | 299 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Yankton, South Dakota | 202 mg/L | 2.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Sioux Falls, South Dakota | 373 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Brookings, South Dakota | 353.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Mitchell compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mitchell | 118 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Mitchell's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Mitchell, South Dakota, in Davison County — the Davison County seat, home of the Corn Palace, adjacent to Mount Vernon and Letcher in south-central South Dakota — receives its municipal water from the Mitchell Water Division, drawing from the James River (Davison County) or local Dakota Aquifer wells through the south Dakota water treatment system.
The moderately hard 118 mg/L hardness and TDS of 267.7 mg/L reflect the south-central South Dakota James River supply's moderate calcareous character. The James River drainage at Davison County crosses the Missouri Coteau — Cretaceous Pierre Shale (calcareous marine black shale — widespread beneath the Dakotas, moderate hardness contributor when groundwater contacts it), Cretaceous Niobrara Formation (calcareous chalk — minor), and calcareous Pleistocene Coteau glacial till (glacially ground Pierre Shale and limestone, the primary surface water hardness source). The Cretaceous and Pleistocene calcareous till produces the moderately hard Great Plains supply.
At 118 mg/L, Mitchell'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 1.6 ppt is very low — the Davison County south-central South Dakota agricultural corridor has essentially no major industrial AFFF military sources, and the James River Great Plains headwaters are relatively pristine.
Geology & Source: Mitchell in Davison County draws from the Mitchell Water Division on the James River or local wells (Davison County, south-central South Dakota) — the James River-Davison watershed drains the Missouri Coteau (Cretaceous Pierre Shale calcareous, calcareous Pleistocene Coteau till) — South Dakota Davison County James River Cretaceous-Pleistocene calcareous watershed produces moderately hard water at 118 mg/L with TDS 267.7 mg/L in this Davison County South Dakota city.