Albert Lea Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
210.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 Albert Lea, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Albert Lea | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -34% |
| Washing Machine | 9.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -23% |
| Water Heater | 10.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -28% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Albert Lea compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Albert Lea, Minnesota | 120 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Austin, Minnesota | 191.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Owatonna, Minnesota | 236.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Mason City, Iowa | 187.5 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Faribault, Minnesota | 115.5 mg/L | 3.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Albert Lea compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Albert Lea | 120 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Albert Lea's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Albert Lea, Minnesota, in Freeborn County — the Freeborn County seat adjacent to Alden and Hollandale on the Shell Rock River in southern Minnesota near the Iowa border — receives its municipal water from the Albert Lea Water Division, drawing from Albert Lea Lake (Shell Rock River, Freeborn County) through the Albert Lea treatment plant.
The moderately hard 120 mg/L hardness and TDS of 210.2 mg/L reflect the southern Minnesota drift plain carbonate character — similar to other south Minnesota river supply communities. Albert Lea Lake receives the Shell Rock River drainage from the southern Minnesota Des Moines Lobe — calcareous Pleistocene Woodfordian till (ground-up carbonate till from the Iowa-Minnesota drift plain), Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group dolomite (the primary regional carbonate aquifer — significant recharge contribution), and the southern Minnesota calcareous glaciolacustrine deposits.
At 120 mg/L, Albert Lea'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 3.9 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Freeborn County agricultural drainage (PFAS from fertilizer and field applications in the southern Minnesota corn-soybean belt), and the southern Minnesota PFAS background contribute to Albert Lea's readings.
Geology & Source: Albert Lea in Freeborn County draws from the Albert Lea Water Division on Albert Lea Lake (Shell Rock River, Freeborn County, southern Minnesota) — the Shell Rock drains the Minnesota drift plain (Ordovician Prairie du Chien dolomite, calcareous Pleistocene Des Moines Lobe till) — Minnesota Freeborn County Shell Rock River carbonate watershed produces moderately hard water at 120 mg/L with TDS 210.2 mg/L in this Freeborn County Minnesota city.