Vermillion Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.5 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
343.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.39
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 Vermillion, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Vermillion | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -44% |
| Washing Machine | 8.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -32% |
| Water Heater | 9.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Vermillion compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Vermillion, South Dakota | 145 mg/L | 1.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Yankton, South Dakota | 202 mg/L | 2.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Sioux City, Iowa | 164.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| South Sioux City, Nebraska | 338 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Sioux Falls, South Dakota | 373 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Vermillion compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Vermillion | 145 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Vermillion's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Vermillion, South Dakota, in Clay County — the Clay County seat adjacent to Yankton and Jefferson on the Missouri River bluffs in southeast South Dakota — receives its water from the City of Vermillion Water Department, drawing from the Missouri River alluvial aquifer through the southeast South Dakota distribution.
The hard 145 mg/L hardness and TDS of 343.6 mg/L reflect the Clay County Missouri River supply's hard alluvial character — the Cretaceous Pierre Shale provides insoluble formation dilution, while the Quaternary Missouri River alluvium acquires calcareous mineral content from the Great Plains alluvial deposits; Vermillion's supply is harder than Missouri headwater cities due to Plains alluvial mineral concentration (compare Yankton SD: 141/334 in Yankton County comparable; Jefferson SD: 148/352 in Jefferson County comparable; Vermillion consistent hard from the same Clay County Missouri River aquifer Cretaceous supply). The Missouri River alluvial aquifer — Cretaceous Pierre Shale (insoluble — primary dilutant), Quaternary Missouri River alluvium (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Holocene Missouri River terrace alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 145 mg/L with TDS 344, Vermillion's water is hard — scale builds in appliances. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 1.8 ppt is very low — an excellent result for south South Dakota. Review the City of Vermillion's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Vermillion in Clay County draws from the Vermillion Water on the Missouri River aquifer (Clay County, southeast South Dakota) — the Missouri River at Clay County draws from Cretaceous Pierre Shale (insoluble) and Quaternary Missouri River alluvium (calcareous) — South Dakota Clay County Missouri River aquifer Cretaceous supply produces hard water at 145 mg/L with TDS 343.6 mg/L.