Hardness
Very Hard
358.5 PPM · 21 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Alta Vista, KS 66834
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Wabaunsee County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Alta Vista, City Of
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Wabaunsee County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
7.0e-4 mg/L
5% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 422 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
358.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
358.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
21
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 358.5 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
6
Nearest site
23.8 mi
Observation range
Jul 23, 2018–Jul 31, 2024
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 12S 05E 01BBAA01 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 66834 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Alta Vista median
359 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 358.5–358.5 PPM
Kansas median
289 PPM
70 PPM higher540 indexed ZIP readings · Range 72.2–707 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass
Lead (PB90)
7.0e-4 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2023
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 7.0e-4
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 2
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | KS2019702 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | KS2019702 | Unaddressed | Sep 20, 2024 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Alta Vista ZIP 66834 using 358.5 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
358.5 PPM is 3× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsDrinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Groundwater Rule has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Alta Vista
Is tap water safe in Alta Vista?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 358.5 PPM, or 21 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 358.5 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.