Water hardness in Minnesota, characterized by the amount of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium, can significantly differ among various cities across the state due to its varied geological landscapes. Situated in the Midwestern region of the U.S., Minnesota’s water hardness levels reflect the geological diversity within the state.
Across Minnesota, water hardness can range from moderately soft to significantly hard, depending on the geological make-up of the area and the source of the water supply. For example, many areas in Minnesota have not provided data on water hardness, indicating a potential range of variability. On the other hand, regions with recorded levels suggest hardness owing to the mineral composition of their water supply.
The variation in water hardness throughout Minnesota influences not only the taste and aesthetics of the water but also the efficiency of soaps and detergents, plumbing maintenance, and the lifespan of appliances that utilize water. Given the state’s considerable geological diversity, water hardness is not uniform, highlighting the need for localized water treatment solutions and ongoing monitoring of water quality.
In the provided data, the water hardness levels show substantial variations across different cities in Minnesota. Among the cities for which data is reported, the highest water hardness level is recorded in Chaska with a hardness ppm of 445.1 and a hardness gpg of 26.0. Conversely, the city with the lowest recorded water hardness level is Bloomington, reporting a hardness ppm of 89.0 and a hardness gpg of 5.2.
City | Hardness ppm (mg/L) | Hardness gpg | Information Source | Notes |
Minneapolis | n/a | n/a | Link | |
St. Paul | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Rochester | 280.0 | 17.0 | Link | |
Bloomington | 89.0 | 5.2 | Link | Water system softens the water |
Duluth | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Brooklyn Park | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Plymouth | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Woodbury | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lakeville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Blaine | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Maple Grove | n/a | n/a | Link | |
St. Cloud | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Eagan | 325.2 | 19.0 | Link | |
Burnsville | 402.3 | 23.5 | Link | |
Coon Rapids | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Eden Prairie | 90.0 | 5.3 | Link | Used the treated value. Untreated is 380. |
Apple Valley | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Edina | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Minnetonka | n/a | n/a | Link | |
St. Louis Park | 330.0 | 19.0 | Link | |
Mankato | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Moorhead | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Shakopee | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Maplewood | n/a | n/a | Link | Gets water from St. Paul |
Cottage Grove | 298.0 | 17.0 | Link | |
Richfield | n/a | n/a | Link | Mentions they soften the water, but don’t quantify |
Roseville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Inver Grove Heights | 359.5 | 21.0 | Link | |
Savage | 342.4 | 20.0 | Link | |
Andover | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Brooklyn Center | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fridley | 247.5 | 14.5 | Link | |
Ramsey | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Prior Lake | 330.0 | 19.3 | Link | |
Chaska | 445.1 | 26.0 | Link | |
Oakdale | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Shoreview | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Rosemount | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Owatonna | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Austin | 273.9 | 16.0 | Link | |
Elk River | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Chanhassen | 359.5 | 21.0 | Link | |
Winona | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Faribault | n/a | n/a | Link | |
White Bear Lake | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Farmington | 283.0 | 16.5 | Link | |
Champlin | n/a | n/a | Link | |
New Brighton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Crystal | n/a | n/a | Link | Purchases from Minneapolis |
Golden Valley | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Hastings | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Columbia Heights | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lino Lakes | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Otsego | 256.8 | 15.0 | Link | |
New Hope | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Willmar | n/a | n/a | Link | |
West St. Paul | n/a | n/a | Link | Gets water from St. Paul |
Northfield | 320.0 | 18.0 | Link | |
Forest Lake | n/a | n/a | Link | |
South St. Paul | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Sartell | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Stillwater | n/a | n/a | Link | |
St. Michael | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Hopkins | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Albert Lea | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Anoka | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Red Wing | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Ham Lake | n/a | n/a | Link | Might be largely wellwater, only see watershed management, no consumer reports |
Buffalo | 359.5 | 21.0 | Link | |
Hugo | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Hibbing | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Bemidji | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Hutchinson | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Monticello | n/a | n/a | Link | |
North Mankato | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Alexandria | 428.0 | 25.0 | Link | |
Brainerd | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Robbinsdale | n/a | n/a | Link | |
New Ulm | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fergus Falls | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Sauk Rapids | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Worthington | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Marshall | 136.9 | 8.0 | Link | |
Rogers | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Waconia | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Mounds View | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lake Elmo | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Cloquet | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Vadnais Heights | n/a | n/a | Link | |
North St. Paul | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Big Lake | n/a | n/a | Link | |
East Bethel | n/a | n/a | Link | |
St. Peter | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Mendota Heights | n/a | n/a | Link | Provided by St. Paul |
Grand Rapids | n/a | n/a | Link | |
North Branch | 273.0 | 15.9 | Link | |
Victoria | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Little Canada | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fairmont | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Hermantown | n/a | n/a | Link |
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.