State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM3
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM6
Hard · 121–180 PPM9
Very hard · 181+ PPM178
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 regional evidence
405PPM
Very Hard
Indexed range 9.3–2080 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 178 of 196 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 405 PPM, but the full indexed range is 9.3–2080 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 87%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 30%
129
Low-confidence hardness profiles
32
Research-comparison eligible profiles
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 154
- Surface water
- 62
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 2
Highest medians
Highest eligible city medians
- 1. Fargo716 PPM
Lowest medians
Lowest eligible city medians
- 1. Fargo716 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
171PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Alexander
Mckenzie County · 1 ZIP
355PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Almont
Morton County · 1 ZIP
425PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Amenia
Cass County · 1 ZIP
538PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Aneta
Nelson County · 1 ZIP
406PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Argusville
Cass County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Arthur
Cass County · 1 ZIP
538PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Ashley
Mcintosh County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Barney
Richland County · 1 ZIP
372PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Beach
Golden Valley County · 1 ZIP
96PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Belfield
Billings County · 1 ZIP
276PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Berlin
Lamoure County · 1 ZIP
334PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Berthold
Ward County · 1 ZIP
21PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Beulah
Mercer County · 1 ZIP
24PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Binford
Griggs County · 1 ZIP
316PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bisbee
Towner County · 1 ZIP
370PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bismarck
Burleigh County · 4 ZIPs
141PPM regional
Regional range 140.7–178No active flag
Bottineau
Bottineau County · 1 ZIP
498PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bowbells
Burke County · 1 ZIP
2080PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bowdon
Wells County · 1 ZIP
1044PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bowman
Bowman County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Buffalo
Cass County · 1 ZIP
538PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Burlington
Ward County · 1 ZIP
279PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Cando
Towner County · 1 ZIP
699PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest regional-evidence county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burke County | 2080 PPM | 362–2080 | 5 |
| Adams County | 854 PPM | 854–854 | 2 |
| Cass County | 716 PPM | 289.5–718.5 | 18 |
| Steele County | 690 PPM | 406–842 | 5 |
| Foster County | 683 PPM | 487–878 | 2 |
| Hettinger County | 668 PPM | 553–783 | 2 |
| Williams County | 594 PPM | 476–700 | 5 |
| Griggs County | 579 PPM | 316–579 | 3 |
| Wells County | 572 PPM | 209–1044 | 5 |
| Mercer County | 548 PPM | 24.2–663 | 4 |
| Kidder County | 542 PPM | 468–616 | 3 |
| Dunn County | 541 PPM | 275.5–663 | 5 |