Welby Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
387.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.41
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 Welby, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Welby | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -46% |
| Washing Machine | 8 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -37% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Welby compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Welby, Colorado | 152 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Thornton, Colorado | 63 mg/L | 2.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Commerce City, Colorado | 155 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Federal Heights, Colorado | 101.5 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Sherrelwood, Colorado | 163 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Welby compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Welby | 152 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Welby's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Welby, Colorado, in Adams County — an unincorporated Adams County community adjacent to Commerce City and Thornton in the north Denver metro — receives its water from local Adams County utilities, drawing from the South Platte River (Adams County) through the north Denver metro distribution.
The moderately hard 152 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 387.1 mg/L (elevated TDS relative to hardness — reflecting the South Platte's agricultural irrigation return flow enrichment along the eastern Colorado Front Range) are harder than the Denver Water-direct communities (Denver: ~95 mg/L) — reflecting the north Adams County position with greater agricultural return flow concentration. The South Platte River at Adams County drains the Rocky Mountain Front Range (insoluble Precambrian granite headwaters) with Cretaceous Pierre Shale (calcareous), Paleocene Denver Formation (calcareous), and agricultural return flow mineral enrichment.
At 152 mg/L, Welby'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 5.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Buckley Air Force Base (Adams County — AFFF, directly in the Adams County service zone) and the north Denver metro industrial corridor contribute to Welby's readings.
Geology & Source: Welby in Adams County draws from local Adams County utilities on the South Platte River (Adams County, north Denver metro) — the South Platte at Adams County drains the Rocky Mountain Front Range (insoluble Precambrian granite) blended with Cretaceous Pierre Shale and Paleocene calcareous formations — Colorado Adams County South Platte River Front Range watershed produces moderately hard water at 152 mg/L with TDS 387.1 mg/L.