Superior 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
375 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 Superior, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Superior | 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 Superior compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Superior, Colorado | 149 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Louisville, Colorado | 104.5 mg/L | 3.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Broomfield, Colorado | 149 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Lafayette, Colorado | 142 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Boulder, Colorado | 148 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Superior compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Superior | 149 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Superior home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Superior's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Superior, Colorado, in Boulder County — a Boulder County city adjacent to Louisville and Lafayette on the Colorado Front Range — receives its water from the Colorado Water Consultants or local Boulder Creek supply (Boulder County) through the northeast Colorado Front Range distribution.
The hard 149 mg/L hardness and TDS of 375 mg/L reflect the northeast Colorado Front Range Boulder County supply's hard calcareous character — the Boulder Creek watershed intersects both the insoluble Precambrian granodiorite and the Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk calcareous formations, producing moderate to hard water typical of the Colorado Front Range communities (compare Black Forest CO: 106.5 mg/L on the Dawson-Arapahoe aquifer; Lone Tree CO: 91 mg/L on the South Platte reservoir supply). The Boulder Creek watershed at Boulder County — Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Precambrian Boulder Creek Granodiorite (insoluble — dilutant), and Quaternary Front Range alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 149 mg/L with TDS 375, Superior's water is hard. A water softener is recommended to prevent scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 5.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Boulder County Colorado Front Range industrial corridor contribute to Superior's readings.
Geology & Source: Superior in Boulder County draws from the Colorado Water Consultants on Boulder Creek or Left Hand Creek (Boulder County, northeast Colorado Front Range) — the Boulder Creek watershed at Boulder County drains the Front Range (Precambrian Boulder Creek Granodiorite — insoluble) and Cretaceous Niobrara Chalk (calcareous) — Colorado Boulder County Boulder Creek Front Range Precambrian-Cretaceous supply produces hard water at 149 mg/L with TDS 375 mg/L.