Kansas City water hardness: 5 to 6 grains per gallon
Kansas City tap water is moderately hard: about 100 mg/L, or 5 to 6 grains per gallon, on average. That figure comes from KC Water's water quality page (opens in new tab).
Kansas City water hardness
Grains per gallon, from KC Water. Sacramento river water shown for comparison.
Where does Kansas City water come from?
KC Water treats water from the Missouri River. KC Water says the river changes with the seasons. Spring rains, melting snow, fall leaves and upstream reservoir releases all affect it, and the utility adjusts its treatment to match.
KC Water says the hardness comes from calcium and magnesium in the water, and that these minerals do not cause health problems. This page covers KC Water in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City, Kansas and many suburbs have their own utilities.
What this means at home
- Water spots on dishes, stainless steel sinks and faucets
- Some white scale on shower heads over time
- Slow scale buildup inside water heaters
- Soap that lathers a little less than in soft water
Do you need a water softener in Kansas City?
Most homes on KC Water can do without one. At 5 to 6 grains per gallon, spots and scale are mild and easy to clean. KC Water also points out that many softeners add sodium to the water. If spots really bother you, or your home is on a well, test your tap and decide from there.
Read do I need a water softener with city water? or see what a softener costs.
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Book my free water testCommon questions
Is Kansas City water hard?
It is moderately hard. KC Water says its average hardness is 100 mg/L, or 5 to 6 grains per gallon. By KC Water's own scale, 61 to 120 mg/L is moderately hard.
Should I get a water softener in Kansas City?
Most KC Water homes do not need one. KC Water notes that many softeners replace calcium and magnesium with sodium. Test your tap and weigh the scale against the upkeep.
Does this apply to Kansas City, Kansas?
No. This page is for KC Water in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City, Kansas is served by a different utility, so check its report for your number.
Keep reading
DataWater hardness by cityHow hard the tap water is in US cities, from each utility report.
City dataMinneapolis water hardness: about 5.5 grains per gallonAbout 5.5 grains per gallon. Moderately hard.
GuideDo I need a water softener with city water?It depends on your city. Here is how to decide.
GuideHow much does a water softener cost installed?Installed price ranges, running costs, and what drives the price.