Hardness
Very Hard
328 PPM · 19.2 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Columbia, MO 65203
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Boone County.
No active health-based violation reported
- Primary matched system
- City Of Columbia Utilities
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Boone County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0021 mg/L
14% of action level
Utility match
6 systems
Serves 126,254 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
328 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
328
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
19.2
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 328 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
27
Nearest site
2.7 mi
Observation range
Apr 11, 2016–Apr 9, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: COLUMBIA MW 01-2B (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 65203 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Columbia median
339 PPM
11 PPM lower5 indexed ZIP readings · Range 328–347 PPM
Missouri median
236 PPM
92 PPM higher556 indexed ZIP readings · Range 38.3–483 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)
0.0021 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.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0021
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 10
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MO3024058 | Resolved | Aug 1, 2025through Nov 13, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | MO3010181 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | MO3024055 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | MO3048033 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through May 6, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MO3048033 | Unaddressed | Oct 1, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MO3024058 | Resolved | Sep 1, 2024through Nov 13, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MO3010181 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Jun 20, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MO3048033 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2021through Oct 31, 2021 |
| E. COLI | MO3024058 | Resolved | Sep 1, 2021through Sep 7, 2021 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MO3048033 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2021through Jan 31, 2021 |
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 Columbia ZIP 65203 using 328 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
328 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 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.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Columbia
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Columbia
Is tap water safe in Columbia?+
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.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 328 PPM, or 19.2 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 328 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.