Hardness
Very Hard
180.5 PPM · 10.6 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Columbia Heights, MN 55421
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Anoka County.
No active health-based violation reported
- Primary matched system
- Columbia Heights
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Anoka 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
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 22,278 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
180.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
180.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
10.6
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 180.5 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
20
Nearest site
3 mi
Observation range
Jan 14, 2016–May 29, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: SHINGLE CREEK AT QUEEN AVE IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 55421 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Columbia Heights median
181 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 180.5–180.5 PPM
Minnesota median
318 PPM
137 PPM lower319 indexed ZIP readings · Range 46.1–716 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 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
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 3
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MN1020016 | Resolved | Aug 1, 2025through Aug 31, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | MN1020016 | Resolved | Jul 2, 2025through Nov 21, 2024 |
| Chlorine | MN1020016 | Archived | Jul 1, 2025through Sep 30, 2025 |
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 Columbia Heights ZIP 55421 using 180.5 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
180.5 PPM is 2× 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 Columbia Heights
Is tap water safe in Columbia Heights?+
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 180.5 PPM, or 10.6 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 180.5 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.