Black Forest Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
220.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.28
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Black Forest, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Black Forest | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -28% |
| Washing Machine | 9.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -19% |
| Water Heater | 11.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -25% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Black Forest compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Black Forest, Colorado | 106.5 mg/L | 3.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Cimarron Hills, Colorado | 124 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Colorado Springs, Colorado | 148.5 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Security-Widefield, Colorado | 141.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Fort Carson, Colorado | 121 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Black Forest compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Black Forest | 106.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Black Forest home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Black Forest's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Black Forest, Colorado, in El Paso County — an El Paso County community adjacent to Colorado Springs and Monument in north Colorado Springs — receives its water from the Woodmen Hills Water District or local Dawson Formation aquifer (El Paso County) through the north Colorado Springs distribution.
The moderately hard 106.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 220.2 mg/L reflect the north Colorado Springs El Paso County supply's moderate calcareous character — the Paleocene Dawson Formation and Cretaceous Arapahoe Formation calcareous aquifer contacts in the Denver Basin produce moderate hardness consistent with the Colorado Springs metro communities drawing from the Denver Basin aquifer system (compare Lone Tree CO: 91 mg/L on the South Platte reservoir supply). The Dawson-Arapahoe aquifer at El Paso County — Paleocene Dawson Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Cretaceous Arapahoe Formation (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Precambrian Pike's Peak Granite (insoluble — dilutant).
At 106.5 mg/L, Black Forest's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 3.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the El Paso County Colorado Springs military-industrial corridor contribute to Black Forest's readings.
Geology & Source: Black Forest in El Paso County draws from the Woodmen Hills Water District or local Dawson aquifer (El Paso County, north Colorado Springs, Colorado) — the Dawson aquifer at El Paso County is developed in Paleocene Dawson Formation (slightly calcareous) over Cretaceous Arapahoe Formation (slightly calcareous) — Colorado El Paso County Dawson-Arapahoe Paleocene-Cretaceous calcareous aquifer produces moderately hard water at 106.5 mg/L with TDS 220.2 mg/L.