Fort Carson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
268.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 Fort Carson, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Fort Carson | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -34% |
| Washing Machine | 9.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -24% |
| Water Heater | 10.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -28% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Fort Carson compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fort Carson, Colorado | 121 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Security-Widefield, Colorado | 141.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Colorado Springs, Colorado | 148.5 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Fountain, Colorado | 123.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Cimarron Hills, Colorado | 124 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Fort Carson compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fort Carson | 121 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Fort Carson's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Fort Carson, Colorado, in El Paso County — a large military installation adjacent to Colorado Springs and Fountain in central Colorado El Paso County — receives its water from Colorado Springs Utilities, drawing from the South Platte and Arkansas River systems (El Paso County) through the Colorado Springs distribution.
The moderately hard 121 mg/L hardness and TDS of 268.8 mg/L reflect the central Colorado El Paso County supply's moderate calcareous character — typical of the Front Range Colorado communities where the Colorado Rockies granite supply is blended with limited calcareous Cretaceous sedimentary input from the Front Range piedmont zone. The El Paso County supply — Precambrian Pikes Peak Granite (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cretaceous Pierre Shale (slightly calcareous — minor contributor), Tertiary Denver Formation (calcareous — secondary contributor), and imported Arkansas River supply (slightly calcareous).
At 121 mg/L, Fort Carson'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 4.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Peterson Air Force Base (El Paso County — AFFF, adjacent) and Fort Carson itself (El Paso County — AFFF) contribute to the elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Fort Carson in El Paso County draws from the Colorado Springs Utilities on the South Platte River and Arkansas River (El Paso County, central Colorado) — the South Platte and Arkansas drain the Front Range (Precambrian Pikes Peak Granite — insoluble) and the Colorado Plains (Cretaceous Pierre Shale — slightly calcareous) — Colorado El Paso County Front Range Precambrian-Cretaceous watershed produces moderately hard water at 121 mg/L with TDS 268.8 mg/L.