Buffalo Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
446.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.54
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 Buffalo, your appliances are currently losing 27% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Buffalo | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -66% |
| Washing Machine | 6.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -49% |
| Water Heater | 7.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -50% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Buffalo compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Buffalo, Minnesota | 202 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Monticello, Minnesota | 234.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Saint Michael, Minnesota | 191 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Otsego, Minnesota | 222.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Rogers, Minnesota | 268.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Buffalo compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Buffalo | 202 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Buffalo's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Buffalo, Minnesota, in Wright County — the Wright County seat adjacent to Monticello and Albertville on the Crow River (South Fork) in the southwest Twin Cities metro — receives its municipal water from the Buffalo Water Division, drawing from the Crow River (Wright County) through the Buffalo treatment plant.
The very hard 202 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 446.3 mg/L reflect the southwest Twin Cities' Minnesota River carbonate character — harder than the east Minneapolis communities (Hibbing: 210 mg/L from Iron Range formations) and reflecting the deep Ordovician-Cambrian carbonate bedrock beneath the Des Moines Lobe glacial till. The Crow River at Wright County drains the Minnesota Till Plain — Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite (calcareous — the dominant Minnesota carbonate platform), Cambrian Jordan Sandstone (calcareous cement), and calcareous Pleistocene Des Moines Lobe till. The Prairie du Chien dolomite and Cambrian calcareous formations produce the very hard southwest Twin Cities supply.
At 202 mg/L, Buffalo's water is very hard — scale builds steadily in all applications, dishwashers need rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 5.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Wright County southwest Twin Cities suburban corridor and the Minnesota PFAS background contribute to Buffalo's readings.
Geology & Source: Buffalo in Wright County draws from the Buffalo Water Division on the Crow River (Wright County, south Twin Cities metro) — the Crow River drains the Minnesota Till Plain (Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite, Cambrian Jordan Sandstone, calcareous Pleistocene Des Moines Lobe till) — Minnesota Wright County Crow River carbonate watershed produces very hard water at 202 mg/L with TDS 446.3 mg/L in this Wright County Minnesota city.