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Water Hardness in Colorado Cities

Water hardness, which reflects the concentration of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium in water, can exhibit significant variability across the diverse state of Colorado. Located in the western part of the U.S., Colorado is characterized by a vast array of water hardness levels, a testament to its intricate geological makeup.

In Colorado, water hardness can vary from very soft in certain regions to extremely hard in others, mirroring the state’s multifaceted geology and water source origins. For instance, areas with mountainous terrain and runoff from snowmelt tend to have softer water because the water has less contact with mineral-rich soils and rock formations. Conversely, regions with sedimentary rock formations, such as areas of the Eastern Plains, might have harder water due to the dissolution of minerals like calcium and magnesium into the local water supply.

The disparity in water hardness across Colorado influences not only the taste of the water but also impacts the efficacy of soaps and detergents. Moreover, it has consequences for the upkeep of plumbing systems and household appliances. Owing to Colorado’s size and geological complexity, the levels of water hardness are far from uniform and may shift, highlighting the necessity for community-specific water treatment strategies and ongoing monitoring.

The data provided demonstrates a range of water hardness levels across various cities in Colorado, measured in Parts Per Million (ppm) and Grains Per Gallon (gpg). Cities like Westminster and Northglenn exhibit relatively high water hardness levels, hitting up to 123.0 ppm, 7.19 gpg. Whereas, locales such as Fort Collins, Longmont, and Severance report notably soft water, with measurements as low as 20.0 ppm, 1.17 gpg. Meanwhile, there is a significant gap in water hardness data for numerous cities, including Pueblo, Centennial, Boulder, and many more, since no up-to-date figures are currently available for these areas.

CityHardness ppm (mg/L)Hardness gpgInformation SourceNotes
Denver80.04.7LinkNot in CCR but IS on Denver water webpage (linked). Took median of range.
Colorado Springs37.52.2Link2016 Report.
Aurora122.07.1Link
Fort Collins20.91.2Link
Lakewood80.04.7LinkSources primarily, although not entirely from Denver.
Thornton20.91.2LinkUses Ft. Collins Water.
Arvada54.03.2LinkTook median of both sources.
Westminster123.07.0Link
Pueblon/an/aLink
Greeley23.51.4LinkUses combination of Ft. Collins and Loveland Water so took median of those values.
Centennialn/an/aLink
Bouldern/an/aLink
Longmont20.01.2Link
Loveland26.01.5Link
Castle Rock103.06.0Link
Broomfield78.04.6Link
Grand Junctionn/an/aLink
Commerce City80.04.7LinkPurchases from South Adams County which purchases from Denver (https://www.southadamswaterco.gov/water___wastewater/water_quality.php)
Parkern/an/aLink
Littleton80.04.7LinkGets water from Denver.
Brightonn/an/aLink
Northglenn120.07.0Link
Windsor20.91.2Link70% sourced from Ft. Collins, used that number.
Englewoodn/an/aLinkReport mentions they adjust hardness but don’t provide specific ppm number.
Wheat Ridge80.04.7LinkGets water from Denver.
Erien/an/aLink
Lafayetten/an/aLink
Fountainn/an/aLink
Evans20.91.2LinkPurchases water from Greeley.
Louisvillen/an/aLink
Montrosen/an/aLink
Golden114.06.7Link
Durangon/an/aLink
Johnstownn/an/aLink
Cañon Cityn/an/aLink
Firestone29.71.7Link
Frederickn/an/aLink
Greenwood Village80.04.7LinkSources water from Denver.
Lone Tree80.04.7LinkSources from Denver Southgate Facility (https://cityoflonetree.com/city-partners/utility-information/).
Federal Heights123.07.2Link
Sterlingn/an/aLink
Fruita76.04.4LinkCovered by Ute County Water (https://www.fruita.org/publicworks/page/other-utility-providers).
Steamboat Springsn/an/aLink
Superiorn/an/aLink
Castle Pinesn/an/aLink
Wellingtonn/an/aLink
Berthoudn/an/aLink
Fort Morgann/an/aLink
Monumentn/an/aLink
Riflen/an/aLink
Glenwood Springsn/an/aLink
Alamosan/an/aLink
Severance20.91.2LinkPurchases water from Ft. Collins.
Deltan/an/aLink
Craign/an/aLink
Cortezn/an/aLink
Milliken29.71.7Link
Gypsumn/an/aLink
Trinidadn/an/aLinkWater CCR on town website appears to be incomplete document.
Fort Luptonn/an/aLink
Lochbuien/an/aLink
Woodland Parkn/an/aLink
Timnathn/an/aLink
Lamarn/an/aLink
Eaglen/an/aLink
La Juntan/an/aLink
Aspenn/an/aLink
Gunnisonn/an/aLink
Carbondalen/an/aLink
Dacono29.71.7Link
Cherry Hills Village80.04.7LinkServiced by Denver.
Avonn/an/aLinkSources water from Eagle River.
Sheridan80.04.7LinkServiced by Denver per linked document.
Estes Park16.00.9Link
Eatonn/an/aLink
Salidan/an/aLink
Meadn/an/aLinkProvided by Little Thompson Water District (https://www.townofmead.org/utilitybilling/page/water-service) and Long’s Peak (https://www.townofmead.org/utilitybilling/page/water-service) neither of which reports hardness.
Brushn/an/aLink
Breckenridge80.04.7Link
Edgewater80.04.7LinkPurchases water from Denver.
New Castlen/an/aLink
Manitou Springsn/an/aLink
Vailn/an/aLinkSources water from Eagle River water district.
Silverthornen/an/aLink
Glendale80.04.7LinkSources water from Denver.
Monte Vistan/an/aLink
Basaltn/an/aLink
Florencen/an/aLink
Rocky Fordn/an/aLinkNo online resource for their water, just an email for the Utilities director.
Siltn/an/aLink
Yuman/an/aLink
Bennettn/an/aLink
Orchard Cityn/an/aLink
Burlington38.02.2LinkAs Calcium.
Snowmass Village80.04.7Link
Walsenburgn/an/aLink
Buena Vistan/an/aLink
Platteville29.71.7Link
Friscon/an/aLink
Bayfieldn/an/aLink
Top 100 Colorado cities by population and their reported water hardness
ppm = Parts Per Million
mg/L = Milligrams Per Liter
gpg = Grains Per Gallon

Hard water can cause issues such as mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances, reduce the efficacy of soaps and detergents, and affect the taste of the water. A tried and true solution is the use of a water softener. A water softener, like the ones from DROP, could be a worthwhile investment.

These devices work by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness with sodium ions, resulting in softer water. With innovative features, easy installation, and efficient operation, DROP smart water softeners provide a solution to hard water issues, extending the lifespan of appliances, improving water taste, enhancing soap effectiveness, reducing scale build-up, and increasing the overall water efficiency in your home.

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