Blue Springs, MO tap water
Supplied mostly by Blue Springs PWS, plus 2 other utilities. Here's what the water means for your fish.
Disinfectant
Chloramine
Your water is treated with chloramine. Unlike chlorine, it doesn't gas off when water sits out, and many pitcher and fridge filters aren't rated to remove it. Conditioners that list chloramine on the label break it apart, which frees a little ammonia. Some utilities switch to plain chlorine for a few weeks a year.
Safety for fish and shrimp
Nitrate (NO₃)
Supplier's figure1–7.1 ppm (Low)
Typical 4.1 ppm
Low, so water changes lower your tank's nitrate well.
From the utility that supplies yours: Independence PWS and Kansas City PWS, which supplies Blue Springs PWS; Independence PWS, which supplies Jackson County Pwsd 17 (2012–2025).
Water chemistry
General hardness
Supplier's figure123 ppm
Moderately soft to medium. Suits most community fish and plants.
From the utility that supplies yours: Independence PWS and Kansas City PWS, which supplies Blue Springs PWS; Independence PWS, which supplies Jackson County Pwsd 17 (2025).
Carbonate hardness (alkalinity)
Supplier's figure60–216 ppm
Typical 60 ppm
Moderate buffering. pH should stay fairly steady.
From the utility that supplies yours: Independence PWS and Kansas City PWS, which supplies Blue Springs PWS; Independence PWS, which supplies Jackson County Pwsd 17 (2025).
pH
Supplier's figure8.2–10.1
Typical 9.7
Alkaline. Many utilities raise pH to protect pipes. Stability matters more than the exact number.
From the utility that supplies yours: Independence PWS and Kansas City PWS and Tri County Water Authority, which supplies Blue Springs PWS; Tri County Water Authority, which supplies Jackson County Pwsd 13; Independence PWS and Tri County Water Authority, which supplies Jackson County Pwsd 17 (2014–2025).
Total dissolved solids
Supplier's figure322–340 ppm
Typical 322 ppm
A rough measure of everything dissolved in the water. RO water reads near 0, so TDS is a quick way to compare waters.
From the utility that supplies yours: Independence PWS and Kansas City PWS, which supplies Blue Springs PWS; Independence PWS, which supplies Jackson County Pwsd 17 (2025).
- Blue Springs PWS, Jackson County Pwsd 13 and Jackson County Pwsd 17 soften their water at the plant, so it may be softer than the local groundwater.
Who supplies Blue Springs, MO
Blue Springs PWS
Serves 68% of residents · Buys water from Independence PWS · Chloramine
Jackson County Pwsd 13
Serves 7% of residents · Buys water from Tri County Water Authority · Chloramine
Jackson County Pwsd 17
Serves 7% of residents · Buys water from Independence PWS · Chloramine
Our data comes from public records and is still incomplete. Many utilities don't publish every number, so we're adding more all the time. Your city's range is a starting point: testing your own tap is the only way to know exactly what's in it.
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Compiled by Shoal & Stem from public records. Free to cite with a link.