Fort Morgan Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
303.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.35
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 Morgan, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Fort Morgan | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -38% |
| Washing Machine | 8.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -27% |
| Water Heater | 10.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -31% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Fort Morgan compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fort Morgan, Colorado | 131 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Sterling, Colorado | 134.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Evans, Colorado | 119 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Greeley, Colorado | 149.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Brighton, Colorado | 145 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Fort Morgan compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fort Morgan | 131 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 Morgan's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Fort Morgan, Colorado, in Morgan County — the Morgan County seat adjacent to Brush and Wiggins on the South Platte River in northeast Colorado — receives its water from the City of Fort Morgan Water Department, drawing from the South Platte River and associated reservoirs through the northeast Colorado distribution.
The moderately hard 131 mg/L hardness and TDS of 303.2 mg/L reflect the Morgan County South Platte River supply's moderate character — the Cretaceous Pierre Shale contributes modest calcareous mineral content, while the High Plains alluvium concentrates dissolved minerals from the arid-to-semiarid northeast Colorado plains (compare Brush CO: 129/298 in Morgan County comparable; Wiggins CO: 133/308 in Morgan County comparable; Fort Morgan consistent moderate from the same Morgan County South Platte River Cretaceous-Quaternary supply). The South Platte watershed at Morgan County — Cretaceous Pierre Shale (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Quaternary High Plains alluvium (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary South Platte alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 131 mg/L with TDS 303, Fort Morgan's water is moderately hard — scale builds in appliances over months. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.5 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review the City of Fort Morgan's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Fort Morgan in Morgan County draws from the Fort Morgan Water on the South Platte River (Morgan County, northeast Colorado) — the South Platte at Morgan County drains Cretaceous Pierre Shale (slightly calcareous) and Quaternary High Plains alluvium (calcareous) — Colorado Morgan County South Platte River Cretaceous-Quaternary supply produces moderately hard water at 131 mg/L with TDS 303.2 mg/L.