University Place Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
3.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
128.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.15
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 University Place, your appliances are currently losing 8% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In University Place | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -9% |
| Washing Machine | 11.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -4% |
| Water Heater | 13.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -11% |
Regional Water Comparison
How University Place compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ University Place, Washington | 56.5 mg/L | 2.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Lakewood, Washington | 26.5 mg/L | 1.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Artondale, Washington | 52.5 mg/L | 2.5 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Tacoma, Washington | 16.5 mg/L | 1.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Parkland, Washington | 44.5 mg/L | 2.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How University Place compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ University Place | 56.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes University Place's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
University Place, Washington, in Pierce County — a major south Pierce County suburban community (University Place is a significant south Puget Sound suburban community — one of the most affluent communities in Pierce County, adjacent to Tacoma's west side on the Puget Sound, known for its golf courses, parks, and high quality of life), home of Chambers Bay (the public golf course in University Place that hosted the 2015 US Open Golf Championship — one of the most scenic golf venues in the Pacific Northwest, set on a former gravel quarry overlooking Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains), a diverse Pierce County community with a significant professional, military (adjacent to McChord Air Force Base–Fort Lewis now Joint Base Lewis-McChord), and Filipino-American population, and a highly desirable Pierce County community — draws its municipal water supply from the Green River via Tacoma Public Utilities. Water hardness in University Place measures 56.5 mg/L — classified as very soft.
University Place's very soft supply reflects the Green River watershed's calcareous-poor Cascade geology. The Green River watershed at University Place–Pierce County draws from: the Precambrian Washington Cascades granite (calcareous-poor crystalline basement); and the Eocene Ohanapecosh Formation (calcareous-poor volcanic). Tacoma Public Utilities produces the very soft 56.5 mg/L.
With hardness at 56.5 mg/L, University Place residents enjoy very soft water. Tacoma Public Utilities consistently delivers water meeting all Washington State DOE and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Green River (Tacoma water system) via the Tacoma Public Utilities or Pierce County (Tacoma water purchase) — the Pierce County south Puget Sound University Place suburban corridor (Precambrian calcareous-poor Washington Cascades granite and Eocene calcareous-poor Ohanapecosh Formation — the calcareous-poor south Cascades Green River watershed; Tacoma Green River supply with treatment); very soft supply at 56.5 mg/L in Pierce County.