State of Hard Water and Soft Water in the U.S.

The percentage of hard water in the United States is 85%.

Natural soft water is only found in 15% of the country. Typically hard water affects 85% of us daily with spotty dishes, limescale buildup, and inefficient appliances.

What makes it so hard?

Surface water is generally soft and comes from lakes and rivers. Water becomes harder when it comes in contact with underground minerals. Limestone, rich in calcium and magnesium, is found throughout the country. The water picks up hard water minerals as it passes through. During its journey through these elements, water becomes harder. Because of this, water hardness varies from city to city and county to state.

A description of the positives, negatives, and ugly aspects of U.S. water.

Residents of the Pacific Northwest, Southeast, Gulf States, and New England live in soft water zones, making them among the lucky 15%. The water is one of the softest in the country, with less than three grains of hardness minerals per gallon.

Most of the 85% of hard water comes from the Midwest and West Coast. Many Midwestern households consistently average 16 grains per gallon (gpg) of hardness minerals in the water, which is considered “very hard.” This makes Midwest water as being some of the hardest in the country.

How does this impact these homes? Limescale buildup in bathtubs and showers, embarrassing stains, and spotty dishes. Various household costs will rise over time, from buying more soap to buying new appliances 50% earlier than expected.

In the U.S., we have diverse landscapes, so we are likely to encounter a wide range of harsh water numbers. However, these six metro areas have some of the country’s hardest water:

  • Indianapolis
  • Las Vegas
  • Minneapolis-St. Paul
  • Phoenix
  • San Antonio
  • Tampa

Let’s say goodbye to Hard Water

Don’t think you can’t make your water soft because you’re in the 85%. One simple appliance can solve the problem – a water softener. The long-term and short-term savings from a water softener are also impressive. Contact us today to discuss installing a water softener system in your home.

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