Cedar City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
22.6 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
1227 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$1.00
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 Cedar City, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cedar City | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3 yrs | 12 yrs | -75% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cedar City compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cedar City, Utah | 387.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Hurricane, Utah | 318.5 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Washington, Utah | 370.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Saint George, Utah | 337.5 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Mesquite, Nevada | 438.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Cedar City compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cedar City | 387.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cedar City's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cedar City, Utah, the Iron County seat — a major southwest Utah university and theater city (Cedar City is the Iron County seat and one of the most distinctive cities in Utah — home of Southern Utah University (SUU — a regional comprehensive university in Cedar City known for its arts and education programs) and famous for the Utah Shakespeare Festival (one of the most important and celebrated Shakespeare festivals in the United States — the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City has been producing professional-quality classical and contemporary theater since 1962; the festival draws visitors from across the country to the Cedar City area each summer and has won the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre)), a diverse Iron County community with a significant SUU student and faculty, Latter-day Saint, and rural-suburban population, adjacent to Brian Head ski resort and Zion National Park in the scenic southwest Utah canyon country, and the gateway city for the Iron County scenic recreation corridor — draws its municipal water supply from the Cedar Valley Basin aquifer via the Cedar City Water Division. Water hardness in Cedar City measures 387.5 mg/L — classified as extremely hard.
Cedar City's extreme hardness reflects the southwest Utah Basin and Range closed-basin aquifer's highly calcareous limestone geology. The Cedar Valley Basin aquifer draws from the Permian Kaibab Limestone (highly calcareous marine carbonate) and Quaternary calcareous Cedar Valley alluvium (evaporite-bearing basin fill). Very limited softening produces the extreme 387.5 mg/L.
At 387.5 mg/L, Cedar City residents face severe hard water challenges. Water softeners and regular appliance descaling are essential. Cedar City Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Utah DEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Cedar Valley Basin aquifer (Basin and Range) via the Cedar City Water Division — the Iron County southwest Utah Basin and Range corridor (Permian calcareous Kaibab Limestone and Quaternary calcareous Cedar Valley alluvium — the extremely calcareous southwest Utah closed Basin and Range; very limited softening); extremely hard at 387.5 mg/L in Iron County.