Andover Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
276 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.59
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 Andover, your appliances are currently losing 30% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Andover | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -73% |
| Washing Machine | 5.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -55% |
| Water Heater | 6.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -55% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Andover compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Andover, Minnesota | 222.56 mg/L | 21.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Ham Lake, Minnesota | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Blaine, Minnesota | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 89.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| West Coon Rapids, Minnesota | 292.48 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Anoka, Minnesota | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 67.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Andover compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Andover | 222.56 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Andover's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Andover, Minnesota operates a municipal water utility serving approximately 19,649 residents in Anoka County. The water supply originates entirely from groundwater sources and is treated at the Water Treatment Facility at 1815 Crosstown Boulevard, which specializes in iron and manganese removal. The city maintains two water storage towers with a combined capacity of approximately 1 million gallons. The utility is managed by the Public Utilities Manager and can be reached at 763-767-5180.
Andover's groundwater is drawn from aquifers underlying the Twin Cities metropolitan area, which sit atop Precambrian crystalline basement rock and Paleozoic sedimentary formations. The geological setting of this region naturally produces mineralized groundwater with elevated concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium — a hydrogeological character typical of Minnesota's groundwater systems that directly accounts for the very hard water delivered to residents.
At very hard water levels, residents face significant scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and increasing the risk of costly appliance failure. Soap and detergent efficiency is reduced, and mineral residue accumulates on fixtures and glassware. A water softener is strongly recommended to mitigate these effects and extend appliance lifespan. Regular maintenance of water-using equipment is essential to prevent damage from mineral deposits. The Water Treatment Facility also removes iron and manganese — naturally occurring groundwater contaminants — and the utility uses chloramine as a disinfectant.
Geology & Source: Twin Cities metropolitan aquifers overlying Precambrian crystalline basement and Paleozoic sedimentary formations — prolonged groundwater contact with mineralized strata dissolves high concentrations of calcium and magnesium, producing very hard
Other Minnesota Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Andover's water safe to drink?
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How does Andover compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Andover 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.