Idaho Falls Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2.6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
75.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.12
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 Idaho Falls, your appliances are currently losing 6% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Idaho Falls | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -5% |
| Washing Machine | 12 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 13.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -8% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Idaho Falls compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Idaho Falls, Idaho | 44.5 mg/L | 1.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Ammon, Idaho | 63.5 mg/L | 1.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Rexburg, Idaho | 90.5 mg/L | 1.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Chubbuck, Idaho | 49 mg/L | 1.3 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Pocatello, Idaho | 36.5 mg/L | 1.1 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Idaho Falls compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Idaho Falls | 44.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Idaho Falls's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Idaho Falls, Idaho, in Bonneville County on the Snake River — eastern Idaho's largest city, a major agricultural (potato farming), technology (Idaho National Laboratory), and service hub for the eastern Snake River Plain — draws its municipal water supply from the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer (ESRP Aquifer) via the City of Idaho Falls Water Department, pumping from the shallow to intermediate depth volcanic basalt aquifer beneath the Snake River Plain. Water hardness in Idaho Falls measures 44.5 mg/L — classified as very soft.
Idaho Falls' very soft supply reflects the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer's volcanic basalt origin. The ESRP Aquifer is one of the largest and most productive basaltic aquifers in North America — formed in the Quaternary–Pleistocene Snake River Group basalt (tholeiitic basalt flows from the Yellowstone–Snake River Plain hotspot track). Basalt is a calcium-poor mafic volcanic rock — the calcium in basalt is locked in pyroxene and plagioclase minerals that dissolve very slowly in groundwater contact. The dominant Quaternary Idaho Group basalt of the Snake River Plain contributes minimal dissolved calcium, producing the very soft 44.5 mg/L at Idaho Falls — similar to other Snake River Plain basalt aquifer communities.
With hardness at 44.5 mg/L, Idaho Falls residents enjoy very soft water with essentially no scale challenges. City of Idaho Falls Water Department consistently delivers water meeting all Idaho DEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer (Snake River Basalt, Quaternary–Pleistocene) via the City of Idaho Falls Water Department — the Snake River Plain basalt aquifer draining the Eastern Idaho Cascade Range basaltic lava flows and the Yellowstone volcanic system recharge; very soft supply at 44.5 mg/L — reflecting the basaltic Snake River Plain aquifer's calcium-poor volcanic origin.