Cedar City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
180+ mg/L
Very Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
453 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.91
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 6.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -45% |
| Water Heater | 8.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cedar City compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cedar City, Utah | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Hurricane, Utah | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Washington, Utah | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Saint George, Utah | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Mesquite, Nevada | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Cedar City compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cedar City | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cedar City's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cedar City Corporation provides drinking water to residents in Iron County, Utah, through a network of 8 wells and 4 springs. Key sources include Shurtz Canyon Spring, Cedar Canyon Spring, Enoch #1 Well, and multiple Quichapa wells and springs. There are no surface water treatment plants; the supply is groundwater monitored per federal and state regulations. The 2024 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report is available at cedarcityut.gov, and the utility can be reached at 435-865-4507.
The watershed encompasses the local canyons and valleys of southern Utah's Iron County, where groundwater percolates through mineral-rich limestone and dolomite formations of the region's Paleozoic geology. These bedrock layers, shaped by the Basin and Range province, dissolve alkaline earth metals during subsurface flow, contributing to a very hard supply character. The arid climate of southern Utah further exacerbates mineral concentration by limiting dilution from surface runoff.
Very hard water in Cedar City promotes significant scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing energy efficiency by up to 20% in tankless heaters and shortening appliance lifespan. Faucets show white deposits, dishes spot after washing, and soap lathers poorly, leading to dry skin and dull hair. A water softener using ion exchange is strongly recommended to swap calcium and magnesium for sodium, preventing damage and improving hygiene. Routine monitoring revealed 13 contaminants, with 8 exceeding health guidelines — including trihalomethanes and radium from geological sources — though lead compliance is confirmed over 30 samples; total dissolved solids measure 276 mg/L. Treatment focuses on disinfection and corrosion control.
Geology & Source: Iron County wells and springs; Paleozoic limestone and dolomite — Shurtz Canyon and Cedar Canyon systems dissolve high calcium and magnesium; arid Basin and Range climate limits dilution; very hard supply with pronounced mineralisation from deep
Other Utah Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar City's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Cedar City?
How does Cedar City compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Cedar City is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
Water Hardness
Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
TDS — Total Dissolved Solids
Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.
PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.
Lead
Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Appliance Lifespan
Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.