Walla Walla Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
177.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.19
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 Walla Walla, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Walla Walla | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -15% |
| Washing Machine | 11 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -15% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Walla Walla compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Walla Walla, Washington | 71.5 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Pendleton, Oregon | 99.5 mg/L | 2.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Pasco, Washington | 47.5 mg/L | 2.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| La Grande, Oregon | 20 mg/L | 1.2 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Kennewick, Washington | 75.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Walla Walla compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Walla Walla | 71.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Walla Walla's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Walla Walla, Washington, the Walla Walla County seat — a major southeast Washington wine country city (Walla Walla is the Walla Walla County seat and one of the most celebrated wine regions in the Pacific Northwest — the Walla Walla Valley AVA is one of Washington's premier wine appellations, known for Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot; the area has attracted significant winery investment and wine tourism), home of Whitman College (one of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the Pacific Northwest — a nationally recognized selective liberal arts college with a distinguished faculty and alumni; the Whitman Mission National Historic Site nearby commemorates Marcus and Narcissa Whitman), a diverse Walla Walla County community with a significant Hispanic-American farmworker and winemaking population, and a city with a significant civic amenity and arts presence — draws its municipal water supply from the Walla Walla River watershed via the City of Walla Walla Water Division. Water hardness in Walla Walla measures 71.5 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Walla Walla's moderate softness reflects the southeast Washington Columbia River Basalt aquifer's calcareous-poor character. The Walla Walla River watershed drains the Miocene Columbia River Basalt (calcareous-poor volcanic basalt — low dissolved carbonates). City of Walla Walla treatment produces the moderately soft 71.5 mg/L.
With hardness at 71.5 mg/L, Walla Walla residents enjoy moderately soft water. City of Walla Walla Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Washington DOE and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Walla Walla River watershed (basalt aquifer) via the City of Walla Walla Water Division — the Walla Walla County southeast Washington Blue Mountains corridor (Miocene calcareous-poor Columbia River Basalt — the calcareous-poor southeast Washington Columbia Plateau basalt aquifer; Walla Walla River supply with effective treatment); moderately soft supply at 71.5 mg/L in Walla Walla County.