Hardness
Hard
149 PPM · 8.7 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Durango, CO 81303
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.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Durango City Of
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- La Plata County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0.0031 mg/L
21% of action level
Utility match
2 systems
Serves 33,787 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
149 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
149
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
8.7
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 149 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
111
Nearest site
1.6 mi
Observation range
Feb 16, 2016–Mar 30, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: FLORIDA RIVER AT THOROUGHBRED ROAD AT LA POSTA, CO (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 81303 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Durango median
147 PPM
About the same3 indexed ZIP readings · Range 145.5–149 PPM
Colorado median
59 PPM
90 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.
1 pass
Lead (PB90)
0.0031 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0031
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 11
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Notice | CO0134255 | Unaddressed | Mar 30, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | CO0134255 | Archived | Mar 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | CO0134255 | Archived | Mar 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts RuleHealth-based | CO0134255 | Unaddressed | Feb 21, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | CO0134255 | Archived | Feb 1, 2026through Feb 28, 2026 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | CO0134255 | Archived | Feb 1, 2026through Feb 28, 2026 |
| Chlorine | CO0134255 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | CO0134255 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Jan 31, 2026 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | CO0134255 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Jan 31, 2026 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | CO0134150 | Resolved | May 1, 2023through May 31, 2023 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | CO0134150 | Resolved | May 1, 2023through May 31, 2023 |
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 Durango ZIP 81303 using 149 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
149 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 systemsDrinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate 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.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Durango
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Durango
Is tap water safe in Durango?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 149 PPM, or 8.7 grains per gallon, classified as hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 149 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.