How hard is the water in Minnesota?

The average water hardness across Minnesota is 293 PPM (17.1 GPG), classified as very hard. Hardness varies by city - the hardest higher-confidence city page is Renville (646 PPM) and the softest is Grand Portage (17 PPM).

What city in Minnesota has the hardest water?

Renville has the hardest water among higher-confidence Minnesota city pages at 646 PPM. A water softener is recommended for residents.

How many water systems are in Minnesota?

Minnesota has 965 active community water systems serving 783 cities.

Water Hardness in Minnesota

Average: 293 PPMVery Hard783 cities965 water systems

State data profile

How to read the Minnesota results

State pages are screening and comparison hubs. They summarize ZIP, city, and water-system patterns so you can find the local page that best matches your home or utility.

Direct or USGS-backed ZIPs

484 of 853

57% use treated-water records or USGS monitoring.

Estimated ZIP values

369 ZIPs

43% use nearby, county, or state-level fallback values.

Dataset update

March 9, 2026

Source coverage and rollups are rebuilt from the public dataset.

Use the source coverage below to judge how much local confirmation a specific city or ZIP needs. The methodology page explains the source hierarchy, weighting, and limitations.

State Average

293 PPM

Very Hard

Coverage

783 cities

965 water systems in the state rollup.

Data Source Coverage

ZIP-level source mix for Minnesota; higher direct and USGS coverage means less reliance on regional estimates.

853 ZIPs covered

Verified treated water

Utility, CCR, or state treated-water records

28%

241 ZIPs

High-confidence USGS

Environmental monitoring matched to local systems

28%

243 ZIPs

Estimated

Nearby, county, or state-level fallback values

43%

369 ZIPs

In Minnesota, 28% of ZIPs use verified treated-water records, 28% use high-confidence USGS monitoring, and 43% use estimates that should be confirmed locally for treatment decisions.

What the Data Shows in Minnesota

Hard or very hard water is widespread in Minnesota, covering 80% of classified ZIPs.

Minnesota uses a mixed data profile across treated-water records, USGS monitoring, and estimated fallback values.

Use the city table below to compare local results. For estimated locations or unusually high readings, confirm with your utility or a home hardness test before sizing treatment equipment.

ZIP Hardness Distribution

Soft8% (71)

Slightly Hard9% (77)

Moderately Hard2% (21)

Hard6% (54)

Very Hard74% (630)

Treatment Takeaway

For many homes in Minnesota, hardness is high enough that scale buildup, fixture spotting, and appliance wear are realistic concerns. A local test is the best starting point before sizing a softener.

How to Use This Data

Use the source coverage above to decide how much local confirmation you need for a specific city or ZIP code.

Useful Minnesota City Pages

Shortcuts to city pages backed by more ZIP-code or water-system data.

Cities With More Local Data

Prioritize cities with multiple ZIPs and systems, then use the local source badges to compare high-confidence USGS readings against estimated areas.

Top 10 Hardest Water Cities

#	City	Hardness
1	Renville	Very Hard (646 PPM)
2	Sacred Heart	Very Hard (646 PPM)
3	Belview	Very Hard (626 PPM)
4	Benson	Very Hard (626 PPM)
5	Boyd	Very Hard (626 PPM)
6	Canby	Very Hard (626 PPM)
7	Chandler	Very Hard (626 PPM)
8	Clara City	Very Hard (626 PPM)
9	Clarkfield	Very Hard (626 PPM)
10	Currie	Very Hard (626 PPM)

Top 10 Softest Water Cities

#	City	Hardness
1	Grand Portage	Soft (17 PPM)
2	Grand Marais	Soft (19 PPM)
3	Beaver Bay	Soft (25 PPM)
4	Hovland	Soft (25 PPM)
5	Little Marais	Soft (25 PPM)
6	Lutsen	Soft (25 PPM)
7	Tofte	Soft (25 PPM)
8	Two Harbors	Soft (25 PPM)
9	Birchdale	Soft (30 PPM)
10	International Fa	Soft (30 PPM)

All Cities in Minnesota

City pages marked Estimated use fallback values and should be confirmed with local testing or utility data.

AdamsVery Hard AdrianVery Hard AftonVery Hard AitkinVery Hard AkeleyHard AlbanyVery Hard Albert LeaVery Hard AlbertaVery Hard AlbertvilleVery Hard AlbornSoft AldenVery Hard AldrichVery Hard AlexandriaVery Hard AlphaVery Hard AlturaHard AlvaradoVery Hard AmboyVery Hard Angle InletSlightly Hard AngoraSoft AnnandaleVery Hard Apple ValleyVery Hard AppletonVery Hard ArcoVery Hard ArgyleVery Hard ArlingtonVery Hard AshbyVery Hard AskovSoft AtwaterHard AudubonVery Hard AuroraSoft AustinVery Hard AvocaVery Hard AvonVery Hard BabbittSoft BackusHard BadgerVery Hard BagleyVery Hard BalatonVery Hard BarnumSlightly Hard BarrettVery Hard Battle LakeVery Hard BaudetteVery Hard BaxterSlightly Hard BayportVery Hard BeardsleyVery Hard Beaver BaySoft Beaver CreekVery Hard BeckerVery Hard BejouVery Hard BelgradeVery Hard Belle PlaineVery Hard BellinghamVery Hard BeltramiVery Hard BelviewVery Hard BemidjiSlightly Hard BenaSoft BensonVery Hard BerounVery Hard BerthaVery Hard Bible CollegeVery Hard Big FallsModerately Hard Big LakeVery Hard BigelowVery Hard BigforkSlightly Hard Bingham LakeVery Hard BirchdaleSoft Bird IslandHard BiwabikSoft BlackduckSlightly Hard BlaineVery Hard Blooming PrairieVery Hard BloomingtonVery Hard Blue EarthVery Hard BlufftonVery Hard BockSlightly Hard BorupVery Hard BoveyModerately Hard BowlusVery Hard BoydVery Hard BrahamVery Hard BrandonVery Hard BreckenridgeVery Hard BrewsterVery Hard BricelynVery Hard BrimsonSoft BrittSoft Brooklyn CenterVery Hard Brooklyn ParkVery Hard BrooksSlightly Hard BrookstonSoft BrootenVery Hard BrowervilleHard Browns ValleyVery Hard BrownsdaleVery Hard BrownsvilleVery Hard BrowntonVery Hard BrunoVery Hard BuffaloVery Hard Buffalo LakeHard BuhlSoft BurnsvilleVery Hard BurtrumVery Hard ButterfieldVery Hard BuyckSoft ByronVery Hard CaledoniaHard CallawayVery Hard CalumetSlightly Hard CambridgeVery Hard CanbyVery Hard Cannon FallsVery Hard CantonHard CanyonSoft CarlisleVery Hard CarlosVery Hard CarltonSlightly Hard CarverVery Hard Cass LakeModerately Hard Cedar East BetheVery Hard Center CitySlightly Hard CentervilleVery Hard CeylonVery Hard ChamplinVery Hard ChandlerVery Hard ChanhassenVery Hard ChaskaVery Hard ChatfieldVery Hard Chisago CityHard ChisholmSoft ChokioVery Hard Circle PinesVery Hard Clara CityVery Hard ClaremontVery Hard ClarissaVery Hard ClarkfieldVery Hard Clarks GroveVery Hard Clear LakeVery Hard ClearbrookVery Hard ClearwaterVery Hard ClementsVery Hard ClevelandVery Hard ClintonVery Hard ClitherallVery Hard ClontarfVery Hard CloquetSlightly Hard CohassetModerately Hard CokatoVery Hard Cold SpringVery Hard ColeraineSlightly Hard CologneVery Hard Columbia HeightsVery Hard ComfreyVery Hard ComstockVery Hard CongerVery Hard CookSoft Coon RapidsVery Hard CorrellVery Hard CosmosVery Hard Cottage GroveVery Hard CottonwoodVery Hard CourtlandVery Hard Crane LakeSoft CromwellSlightly Hard CrookstonVery Hard CrosbySlightly Hard CrosslakeSlightly Hard CrystalVery Hard CurrieVery Hard CushingVery Hard CyrusVery Hard DakotaHard DalboVery Hard DaltonVery Hard DanubeHard DanversHard DarfurVery Hard DarwinVery Hard DasselVery Hard DawsonVery Hard DaytonVery Hard Deer CreekVery Hard Deer RiverSlightly Hard DeerwoodSlightly Hard DelanoVery Hard DelavanVery Hard DelhiVery Hard DentVery Hard Detroit LakesVery Hard DexterVery Hard DilworthVery Hard Dodge CenterVery Hard DonaldsonModerately Hard DonnellyVery Hard DoranVery Hard DoverVery Hard DownerVery Hard DuluthSoft DumontVery Hard DundasVery Hard DunnellVery Hard EaganVery Hard Eagle BendVery Hard Eagle LakeVery Hard East BethelVery Hard East Grand ForksModerately Hard East Gull LakeSlightly Hard EastonVery Hard EchoVery Hard Eden PrairieVery Hard Eden ValleyVery Hard EdgertonVery Hard EdinaVery Hard EffieSlightly Hard EitzenHard Elbow LakeVery Hard EldredVery Hard ElginVery Hard ElizabethVery Hard Elk RiverVery Hard ElkoVery Hard ElktonVery Hard EllendaleVery Hard ElrosaVery Hard ElySoft ElysianVery Hard EmbarrassSoft EmilySlightly Hard EmmonsVery Hard ErhardVery Hard ErskineVery Hard EskoSlightly Hard EuclidModerately Hard EvansvilleVery Hard EvelethSoft ExcelsiorVery Hard FairfaxVery Hard FairmontVery Hard FaribaultVery Hard FarmingtonVery Hard FarwellVery Hard Federal DamSoft FeltonVery Hard FertileVery Hard Fifty LakesSlightly Hard FinlandSoft FinlaysonSoft FisherVery Hard FlensburgVery Hard FloodwoodSoft FlorenceVery Hard FoleyVery Hard ForbesSoft Forest LakeVery Hard ForestonVery Hard Fort RipleySlightly Hard FosstonVery Hard FountainVery Hard FoxhomeVery Hard FranklinVery Hard FrazeeVery Hard FreebornVery Hard FreeportVery Hard FridleyVery Hard FrontenacVery Hard FrostVery Hard FuldaVery Hard Garden CityVery Hard GarfieldVery Hard GarrisonSlightly Hard GarvinVery Hard GaryVery Hard GatzkeSlightly Hard GaylordVery Hard GenevaVery Hard GeorgetownVery Hard GhentVery Hard GibbonVery Hard GilbertSoft GlencoeVery Hard GlenvilleVery Hard GlenwoodVery Hard GlyndonVery Hard Golden ValleyVery Hard GonvickVery Hard Good ThunderVery Hard GoodhueVery Hard GoodlandSlightly Hard GoodridgeVery Hard GoodviewHard GracevilleVery Hard GranadaVery Hard Grand MaraisSoft Grand MeadowVery Hard Grand PortageSoft Granite FallsVery Hard GrasstonVery Hard Green IsleVery Hard GreenbushVery Hard GreenwaldVery Hard Grey EagleVery Hard Grove CityVery Hard GryglaVery Hard GullySlightly Hard HackensackModerately Hard HallockHard HalmaModerately Hard HalstadVery Hard Ham LakeVery Hard HamburgVery Hard HamelVery Hard HammondVery Hard HamptonVery Hard HancockVery Hard Hanley FallsVery Hard HanoverVery Hard HanskaVery Hard HardwickVery Hard HarmonyVery Hard HarrisVery Hard HartlandVery Hard HatfieldVery Hard HayfieldVery Hard HaywardVery Hard HectorHard HendersonVery Hard HendricksVery Hard HendrumVery Hard HenningVery Hard HenrietteVery Hard HermanVery Hard HermantownSoft Heron LakeVery Hard HewittVery Hard HibbingSoft Hill CityVery Hard HillmanVery Hard HillsVery Hard HinckleySoft HinesSlightly Hard HitterdalVery Hard HoffmanVery Hard HokahHard HoldingfordVery Hard HollandVery Hard HollandaleVery Hard HollowayVery Hard HolyokeSlightly Hard HoustonHard HovlandSoft Howard LakeVery Hard Hoyt LakesSoft HumboldtModerately Hard HutchinsonVery Hard IhlenVery Hard International FaSoft Inver Grove HeigVery Hard IonaVery Hard IronSoft IrontonSlightly Hard IsabellaSoft IsantiVery Hard IsleVery Hard IvanhoeVery Hard JacksonVery Hard JacobsonSoft JanesvilleVery Hard JasperVery Hard JeffersVery Hard JordanVery Hard KandiyohiHard KarlstadVery Hard KasotaVery Hard KassonVery Hard KeewatinModerately Hard KelliherSlightly Hard KelseySoft KennedyHard KennethVery Hard KensingtonVery Hard KentVery Hard KenyonVery Hard KerkhovenVery Hard KerrickVery Hard Kettle RiverSlightly Hard KiesterVery Hard KilkennyHard KimballVery Hard KinneySoft Knife RiverSoft La CrescentHard La PrairieSlightly Hard La SalleVery Hard LafayetteVery Hard Lake BentonVery Hard Lake BronsonVery Hard Lake CityVery Hard Lake CrystalVery Hard Lake ElmoVery Hard Lake GeorgeSlightly Hard Lake LillianHard Lake ParkVery Hard Lake ShoreSlightly Hard Lake WilsonVery Hard LakefieldVery Hard LakelandVery Hard LakevilleVery Hard LambertonVery Hard LanesboroVery Hard LansingVery Hard LaporteHard LauderdaleVery Hard Le CenterVery Hard Le RoyVery Hard Le SueurVery Hard LeaderSlightly Hard LengbySlightly Hard LeonardSlightly Hard LeotaVery Hard Lester PrairieVery Hard LewistonHard LewisvilleVery Hard LindstromSlightly Hard LismoreVery Hard LitchfieldVery Hard Little CanadaVery Hard Little FallsModerately Hard Little MaraisSoft Little SaukVery Hard LittleforkHard LockhartVery Hard LomanSoft Long LakeVery Hard LongvilleModerately Hard LorettoVery Hard LowryVery Hard LucanVery Hard LutsenSoft LuverneVery Hard LyleVery Hard LyndVery Hard MadeliaVery Hard MadisonVery Hard Madison LakeVery Hard MagnoliaVery Hard MahnomenVery Hard MakinenSoft MankatoVery Hard MantorvilleVery Hard Maple GroveVery Hard Maple LakeVery Hard Maple PlainVery Hard MapletonVery Hard MaplewoodVery Hard MarbleSlightly Hard MarcellSlightly Hard MariettaVery Hard Marine On SaintVery Hard MarkvilleSoft MarshallVery Hard MaxSlightly Hard MayerVery Hard MaynardVery Hard MazeppaVery Hard Mc GrathVery Hard Mc GregorSlightly Hard McintoshVery Hard MeadowlandsSoft MedfordVery Hard MelroseVery Hard MenahgaHard MendotaVery Hard MentorSlightly Hard MerrifieldSlightly Hard Middle RiverVery Hard MilacaVery Hard MilanVery Hard MillvilleVery Hard MilroyVery Hard MiltonaVery Hard MinneapolisVery Hard MinneotaVery Hard Minnesota CityHard Minnesota LakeVery Hard MinnetonkaVery Hard MizpahSoft MontevideoVery Hard MontgomeryVery Hard MonticelloVery Hard MontroseVery Hard MoorheadVery Hard Moose LakeSlightly Hard MoraVery Hard MorganVery Hard MorrisVery Hard MorristownVery Hard MortonVery Hard MoundVery Hard Mountain IronSoft Mountain LakeVery Hard MurdockVery Hard NashuaVery Hard NashwaukModerately Hard NaytahwaushSlightly Hard NelsonVery Hard NerstrandVery Hard NevisHard New BrightonVery Hard New GermanyVery Hard New LondonHard New MunichVery Hard New PragueVery Hard New RichlandVery Hard New UlmVery Hard New York MillsVery Hard NewfoldenVery Hard NewportVery Hard NicolletVery Hard NielsvilleVery Hard NorcrossVery Hard North BranchVery Hard North MankatoVery Hard North Saint PaulVery Hard NorthfieldVery Hard NorthomeSlightly Hard NorthropVery Hard NorwoodVery Hard Oak ParkVery Hard Oak Park HeightsVery Hard OakdaleVery Hard OdessaVery Hard OdinVery Hard OgemaVery Hard OgilvieSlightly Hard OkabenaVery Hard OkleeVery Hard OliviaHard OnamiaVery Hard OrleansVery Hard OrmsbyVery Hard OronocoVery Hard OrtonvilleVery Hard OsageVery Hard OsakisVery Hard OsloVery Hard OstranderVery Hard OttertailVery Hard OutingVery Hard OwatonnaVery Hard PalisadeModerately Hard Park RapidsVery Hard Parkers PrairieVery Hard PaynesvilleVery Hard Pelican RapidsVery Hard PembertonVery Hard PencerVery Hard PengillySlightly Hard PenningtonSlightly Hard PennockHard Pequot LakesModerately Hard PerhamVery Hard PerleyVery Hard PetersonHard PierzSlightly Hard PillagerHard Pine IslandVery Hard Pine RiverHard PlainviewVery Hard PlatoVery Hard PlummerVery Hard PlymouthVery Hard PonemahSlightly Hard PonsfordVery Hard PorterVery Hard PrestonVery Hard PrincetonVery Hard PrinsburgHard Prior LakeVery Hard ProctorSoft PuposkySlightly Hard QuambaSlightly Hard RacineVery Hard RadiumVery Hard RamseyVery Hard RandallModerately Hard RandolphVery Hard RaySoft RaymondHard ReadingVery Hard Red Lake FallsVery Hard Red WingVery Hard RedbySlightly Hard RedlakeSlightly Hard RemerVery Hard RenvilleVery Hard RevereVery Hard RiceHard RichfieldVery Hard RichmondVery Hard RichvilleVery Hard RobbinsdaleVery Hard RochertVery Hard RochesterVery Hard RockfordVery Hard RockvilleVery Hard RogersVery Hard RollagVery Hard RollingstoneHard RooseveltSlightly Hard RoscoeVery Hard Rose CreekVery Hard RosemountVery Hard RosevilleVery Hard RothsayVery Hard Round LakeVery Hard RoyaltonHard Rush CityVery Hard RushfordHard RushmoreVery Hard RussellVery Hard SabinVery Hard Sacred HeartVery Hard SaginawSoft Saint CharlesHard Saint ClairVery Hard Saint CloudVery Hard Saint FrancisVery Hard Saint HilaireVery Hard Saint JamesVery Hard Saint JosephVery Hard Saint Louis ParkVery Hard Saint MartinVery Hard Saint MichaelVery Hard Saint PaulVery Hard Saint Paul ParkVery Hard Saint PeterVery Hard Saint StephenVery Hard Saint VincentModerately Hard SalolVery Hard SanbornVery Hard SargeantVery Hard SartellVery Hard Sauk CentreVery Hard Sauk RapidsVery Hard SavageVery Hard SawyerSlightly Hard ScandiaVery Hard SchroederSoft SeaforthVery Hard SebekaHard ShaferSlightly Hard ShakopeeVery Hard ShellyVery Hard SherburnVery Hard ShevlinVery Hard ShoreviewVery Hard Side LakeSoft Silver LakeVery Hard SlaytonVery Hard Sleepy EyeVery Hard SolwaySlightly Hard SoudanSoft South HavenVery Hard South Saint PaulVery Hard SpicerVery Hard Spring GroveHard Spring LakeSlightly Hard Spring ParkVery Hard Spring ValleyVery Hard SpringfieldVery Hard Squaw LakeSlightly Hard StacyVery Hard StanchfieldVery Hard StantonVery Hard StaplesHard StarbuckVery Hard SteenVery Hard StephenVery Hard StewartVery Hard StewartvilleVery Hard StordenVery Hard StrandquistVery Hard StrathconaModerately Hard Sturgeon LakeSoft SunburgHard SveaHard Swan RiverSlightly Hard SwanvilleModerately Hard SwataraVery Hard TaconiteSlightly Hard TalmoonSlightly Hard TamarackSoft TaopiVery Hard TauntonVery Hard Taylors FallsSlightly Hard TenneyVery Hard TenstrikeSlightly Hard TheilmanVery Hard Thief River FallVery Hard TofteSoft TowerSoft TracyVery Hard TrailSlightly Hard TrimontVery Hard TrumanVery Hard Twin LakesVery Hard Twin ValleyVery Hard Two HarborsSoft TylerVery Hard UlenVery Hard UnderwoodVery Hard UpsalaVery Hard UticaHard Vadnais HeightsVery Hard VergasVery Hard VermillionVery Hard VerndaleHard Vernon CenterVery Hard VeseliVery Hard VestaVery Hard VictoriaVery Hard VikingVery Hard VillardVery Hard ViningVery Hard ViolaVery Hard VirginiaSoft WabashaVery Hard WabassoVery Hard WaconiaVery Hard WadenaHard WahkonVery Hard Waite ParkVery Hard WaldorfVery Hard WalkerModerately Hard Walnut GroveVery Hard WalthamVery Hard WanamingoVery Hard WandaVery Hard WannaskaSlightly Hard WarbaSlightly Hard WarroadVery Hard WarsawVery Hard WasecaVery Hard WaskishSlightly Hard WatertownVery Hard WatervilleHard WatkinsVery Hard WatsonVery Hard WaubunVery Hard WaverlyVery Hard WayzataVery Hard WebsterVery Hard WelchVery Hard WelcomeVery Hard WellsVery Hard WendellVery Hard West ConcordVery Hard West Saint PaulVery Hard WestbrookVery Hard WheatonVery Hard White Bear LakeVery Hard WilderVery Hard WillernieVery Hard WilliamsSlightly Hard WillmarHard Willow RiverSoft WilmontVery Hard WingerVery Hard WinnebagoVery Hard WinstedVery Hard WinthropVery Hard WintonSoft WirtSlightly Hard WolvertonVery Hard Wood LakeVery Hard WoodburyVery Hard WoodstockVery Hard WorthingtonVery Hard WrenshallSlightly Hard WrightSlightly Hard WykoffVery Hard Young AmericaVery Hard ZimmermanVery Hard ZumbrotaVery Hard