Durango Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
378.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
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 Durango, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Durango | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 8.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -36% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Durango compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Durango, Colorado | 149 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Farmington, New Mexico | 126 mg/L | 2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Montrose, Colorado | 84.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Clifton, Colorado | 130.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Grand Junction, Colorado | 66.5 mg/L | 2.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Durango compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Durango | 149 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Durango's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Durango, Colorado, in La Plata County — the La Plata County seat adjacent to Aztec, NM and Cortez in southwest Colorado on the Animas River, a gateway city to the San Juan Wilderness and Mesa Verde National Park — receives its municipal water from the City of Durango Water Division, drawing from the Animas River at the Durango intake in La Plata County.
The moderately hard 149 mg/L hardness and TDS of 378.2 mg/L are higher than expected for a high-elevation San Juan Mountains supply — reflecting the Animas River watershed's complex calcareous bedrock. The Animas River drains the San Juan Mountains at high elevation — Precambrian Twilight Gneiss (insoluble crystalline), Cambrian Ignacio Quartzite (insoluble), but also the Pennsylvanian Hermosa Group (Pinkerton Trail Formation — calcareous limestone member) and Permian Cutler Group (calcareous arkosic redbeds). The Pennsylvanian-Permian calcareous component contributes significantly more hardness than a purely granitic watershed would produce.
At 149 mg/L, Durango's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Fort Lewis College (La Plata County — minor institutional PFAS), the Durango-La Plata County Airport (AFFF source in the Animas watershed), and the southwest Colorado PFAS background contribute to Durango's readings.
Geology & Source: Durango in La Plata County draws from the Durango Water Division on the Animas River (La Plata County, San Juan Mountains) — the Animas drains the San Juan Mountains (Precambrian Twilight Gneiss, Pennsylvanian-Permian Hermosa Group calcareous) — Colorado San Juan Mountains Precambrian-Permian calcareous watershed produces moderately hard water at 149 mg/L with TDS 378.2 mg/L in this La Plata County Colorado city.