Frederick Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
310.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Frederick, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Frederick | Soft Water City | Efficiency 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 Frederick compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Frederick, Colorado | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Firestone, Colorado | 33 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Erie, Colorado | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Brighton, Colorado | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 488.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Longmont, Colorado | 21 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Frederick compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Frederick | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Frederick's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The Town of Frederick supplies drinking water to residents in Weld County, Colorado, via its public water system. The utility draws from a combination of surface water, specifically the South Platte River, and groundwater from local wells that tap into the Denver Basin aquifers. All water undergoes treatment at the town's facilities. The most recent Drinking Water Quality Report, detailing 2024 data, is accessible on the official town website. For questions or public participation opportunities, residents can contact Kent Van Dyne at 720-382-5801.
Frederick's water originates from the South Platte River watershed, which stretches across the Front Range and into the eastern plains. Geologically, this area features loose alluvial gravels and sands resting atop confined aquifers within the Denver Basin. These aquifers contain rock formations from the Cretaceous period, such as the Laramie Formation. These layers, influenced by limestone deposits, naturally dissolve minerals, giving the water a hard quality. Fluctuations in watershed runoff also play a role, contributing to a moderately mineralized supply that reflects the region's intricate hydrogeology.
With moderately hard water, you'll likely notice scale accumulating in appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, which can decrease their efficiency and shorten their lifespan. Laundry might feel a bit stiff, and you may find that soap doesn't lather as readily. To manage this, consider descaling fixtures monthly with vinegar and regularly checking pipes for any buildup. Many households find that installing a water softener is a practical solution to prevent these issues and prolong the life of their appliances. The town's reports confirm compliance with EPA standards, and no violations for lead or copper were reported.
Geology & Source: Quaternary alluvium; Tertiary and Cretaceous sedimentary formations; limestone and dolomite dissolution cause moderate hardness
Other Colorado Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frederick's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Frederick?
How does Frederick compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Frederick is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.