Hardness
Very Hard
289 PPM · 16.9 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationA source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Barber County.
At a glance
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Hardness
Very Hard
289 PPM · 16.9 GPG
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0041 mg/L
27% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 147 people system-wide
Hardness meter
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
289 PPM
Parts per million
289
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
16.9
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 289 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
108
Nearest site
61.6 mi
Observation range
Mar 29, 2016–May 6, 2021
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 24S 03W 33DDCC01 IW-24A SHALLOW (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Sharon median
289 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 289–289 PPM
Kansas median
289 PPM
About the same540 indexed ZIP readings · Range 72.2–707 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
Lead (PB90)
0.0041 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
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.
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0041
EPA limit 0.015
100% line = listed limit
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | KS2000708 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Jan 31, 2026 |
| Chlorine | KS2000708 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Jan 31, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | KS2000708 | Archived | Dec 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Chlorine | KS2000708 | Archived | Dec 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Matched to Sharon ZIP 67138 using 289 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
289 PPM is 2× 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 systemsAffiliate 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
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 289 PPM, or 16.9 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
At 289 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.