How does Pasco's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Pasco (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L softer than average.

Pasco Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

98.8 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.08

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · est.

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 Pasco, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Pasco	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	8.2 yrs	8.5 yrs	-4%
Washing Machine	11.5 yrs	12 yrs	-4%
Water Heater	14.4 yrs	15 yrs	-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How Pasco compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Pasco, Washington	≈ 0–59 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Kennewick, Washington	≈ 120–179 mg/L	162.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Tri-Cities, Washington	≈ 120–179 mg/L	1.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Richland, Washington	≈ 120–179 mg/L	114.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
West Richland, Washington	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Pasco compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Pasco	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 None
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Pasco's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 98.8 mg/LpH: 7.7

The City of Pasco Public Works Water Division provides drinking water to residents of Pasco in Franklin County, Washington, at the Tri-Cities area. The primary source is the Columbia River, part of the broader Columbia River Basin that drains the Columbia Plateau and the Cascades volcanic arc. The city's Water Filtration division treats approximately 338 million gallons of water per month, employing treatment processes that ensure all delivered water meets applicable state and federal drinking water requirements throughout the distribution system.

The Columbia River drains the Columbia Plateau, underlain by the Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group, with contributions from the Cascades volcanic arc. These volcanic basalt terrains are notably low in soluble calcium and magnesium minerals compared to carbonate rocks, contributing fewer dissolved ions during weathering. The result is a dilute, very soft water chemistry characteristic of the Franklin County reach of the Columbia River at the Tri-Cities.

With a very soft supply, scale buildup in appliances is minimal, and water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing are unlikely to suffer significant calcium or magnesium deposits. Soap and detergents lather freely, and spotting on glassware or fixtures is uncommon. However, soft water can be more corrosive to plumbing, so monitoring for lead and copper levels in older pipes is advisable. The City of Pasco confirms that all delivered water meets state and federal requirements, ensuring a safe supply for residents throughout the distribution system.

Geology & Source: Columbia River Basin — Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group and Cascades volcanic arc; basalt terrain yields dilute, very soft water chemistry typical of Franklin County at the Tri-Cities

Other Washington Water Reports

Kennewick

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Tri-Cities

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Richland

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

West Richland

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pasco's water safe to drink?

Yes. Pasco's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Pasco?

Pasco's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Pasco compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Pasco (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Pasco is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.