State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM0
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM0
Hard · 121–180 PPM1
Very hard · 181+ PPM225
State water index
North Dakota water hardness
Search 210 indexed communities and 226 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median indexed hardness
372PPM
Very Hard
Indexed range 170.5–716 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 226
- Cities
- 210
- Matched utilities
- 218
- Counties
- 52
Understanding North Dakota
Why local comparisons matter here
North Dakota communities use Missouri River and reservoir water, glacial aquifers, and deeper bedrock sources across the northern plains.
In this index, very hard is the largest category, covering 225 of 226 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 372 PPM, but the full indexed range is 170.5–716 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 100%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 30%
28
Low-confidence hardness profiles
28
Nearest site more than 25 miles away
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 154
- Surface water
- 62
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 2
Highest medians
Hardest indexed cities
- 1. Horace716 PPM
- 2. West Fargo716 PPM
- 3. Fargo711 PPM
- 4. Grand Forks638 PPM
- 5. Grafton558 PPM
Lowest medians
Softest indexed cities
- 1. Max171 PPM
- 2. Beulah181 PPM
- 3. Turtle Lake199 PPM
- 4. Ryder200 PPM
- 5. Makoti230 PPM
City directory
Explore North Dakota by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
210 cities · 226 ZIP profiles
210 cities found
Page 1 of 9
Abercrombie
Richland County · 1 ZIP
408PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Alexander
Mckenzie County · 1 ZIP
395PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Almont
Morton County · 1 ZIP
497PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Amenia
Cass County · 1 ZIP
388PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Aneta
Nelson County · 1 ZIP
322PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Argusville
Cass County · 1 ZIP
391PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Arthur
Cass County · 1 ZIP
388PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Ashley
Mcintosh County · 1 ZIP
353PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Barney
Richland County · 1 ZIP
401PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Beach
Golden Valley County · 1 ZIP
259PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Belfield
Billings County · 1 ZIP
328PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Berlin
Lamoure County · 1 ZIP
372PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Berthold
Ward County · 1 ZIP
260PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Beulah
Mercer County · 1 ZIP
181PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Binford
Griggs County · 1 ZIP
316PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bisbee
Towner County · 1 ZIP
323PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bismarck
Burleigh County · 4 ZIPs
503PPM
Range 499.5–503No active flag
Bottineau
Bottineau County · 1 ZIP
356PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bowbells
Burke County · 1 ZIP
312PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bowdon
Wells County · 1 ZIP
295PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bowman
Bowman County · 1 ZIP
339PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Buffalo
Cass County · 1 ZIP
400PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Burlington
Ward County · 1 ZIP
235PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Cando
Towner County · 1 ZIP
325PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest indexed county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oliver County | 518 PPM | 518–518 | 1 |
| Burleigh County | 501 PPM | 288–503 | 6 |
| Morton County | 497 PPM | 465–500.5 | 6 |
| Mclean County | 490 PPM | 170.5–547.5 | 9 |
| Mercer County | 481 PPM | 181–499.5 | 4 |
| Grant County | 465 PPM | 434–465 | 3 |
| Stark County | 465 PPM | 373–496 | 5 |
| Hettinger County | 463 PPM | 429.5–496 | 2 |
| Mountrail County | 461 PPM | 460–461 | 3 |
| Grand Forks County | 457 PPM | 322–638 | 6 |
| Williams County | 451 PPM | 328–460.5 | 5 |
| Divide County | 445 PPM | 429.5–468.5 | 4 |