Hardness
Hard
144 PPM · 8.4 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Bayfield, CO 81122
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for La Plata County.
No active health-based violation reported
- Primary matched system
- Mountain Man Water Service
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- La Plata County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
Not reported
Check the utility CCR or tap test
Utility match
1 system
Serves 200 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
144 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
144
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
8.4
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 144 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
99
Nearest site
11.7 mi
Observation range
Feb 16, 2016–Apr 16, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: SALT CREEK AT LA PLATA CR 510 NEAR OXFORD, CO (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 81122 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Bayfield median
144 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 144–144 PPM
Colorado median
59 PPM
85 PPM higher161 indexed ZIP readings · Range 13.7–829 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
Lead (PB90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
0 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
No comparable measured values reported
Federal SDWIS data does not contain a numerical result and matching benchmark for this profile. Review the compliance history and the utility's Consumer Confidence Report instead.
2026Q2
- All records
- 0
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
No violation record was returned for the associated systems in the imported lookback window beginning Jan 1, 2021.
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Bayfield ZIP 81122 using 144 PPM nearby hardness and 0 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
144 PPM is 1× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Bayfield
Is tap water safe in Bayfield?+
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 144 PPM, or 8.4 grains per gallon, classified as hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 144 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.