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Erie Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

253.4 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Erie, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn ErieSoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
6.8 yrs
8.5 yrs-20%
Washing Machine
9.6 yrs
12 yrs-20%
Water Heater
12 yrs
15 yrs-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Erie compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Erie, Colorado≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Lafayette, Colorado≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Louisville, Colorado≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Frederick, Colorado≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Longmont, Colorado21 mg/L0 ppt🟢 Softreservoir

National Benchmark

How Erie compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Erie≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Erie's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 253.4 mg/LpH: 7.8

The ERIE TOWN OF utility serves approximately 32,829 residents across Erie, Colorado, in Weld County. Water originates from surface water sources within the South Platte River watershed, treated via conventional filtration and disinfection with hypochlorite at facilities managed from 645 Holbrook Street, Erie, CO 80516. Contact the utility at 303-926-2895 or emergencies at 303-926-2701. Water quality reports are available at erieco.gov.

Erie's supply is drawn from the South Platte River watershed in the Front Range, where snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains flows through diverse geology including Cretaceous shales and Tertiary conglomerates — notably the Pierre Shale and Arapahoe Formation. These formations release alkaline earth metals from limestone and dolomite outcrops in the foothills, resulting in moderately mineralised water. Primary sourcing is surface-based, with water chemistry shaped by upstream erosion of mineral-rich terrains rather than deep groundwater dissolution.

At moderately hard levels, Erie water causes moderate scale buildup in dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters, reducing efficiency over time. Soap lathering is fair but may require more detergent, and spotting occurs on glassware. Periodic vinegar descaling of fixtures and coffee makers is recommended; a water softener is optional but beneficial for households preferring to minimise deposits. Treatment involves conventional filtration and chlorination; the 2023 CCR confirms standards met, though 2 contaminants exceed EPA health guidelines. Minor concerns include possible selenium and chlorinated solvents; residents should flush taps to minimise lead risk per CCR guidance.

Geology & Source: South Platte River watershed, Front Range; Cretaceous Pierre Shale and Tertiary Arapahoe Formation — limestone and dolomite foothills yield moderately mineralized surface water from snowmelt

Other Colorado Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Erie's water safe to drink?
Yes. Erie's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Erie?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Erie's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.
How does Erie compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Erie (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Erie is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

pH

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.