Cloquet Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.2 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
307.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.42
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 Cloquet, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cloquet | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -48% |
| Washing Machine | 7.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -35% |
| Water Heater | 9.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -38% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cloquet compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cloquet, Minnesota | 157 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Superior, Wisconsin | 210 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Duluth, Minnesota | 199.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Hibbing, Minnesota | 210 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Grand Rapids, Minnesota | 87.5 mg/L | 3.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Cloquet compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cloquet | 157 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cloquet's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cloquet, Minnesota, in Carlton County — a Carlton County city adjacent to Duluth and Superior (WI) on the St. Louis River in northeast Minnesota — receives its water from the City of Cloquet Water Department, drawing from the St. Louis River through the northeast Minnesota distribution.
The hard 157 mg/L hardness and TDS of 307.7 mg/L are somewhat elevated for a northeastern Minnesota river supply — the St. Louis River drains the Precambrian Canadian Shield (largely insoluble), but Ordovician Prairie du Chien Formation carbonates in the downstream watershed and mineral contributions from the Duluth Complex add dissolved minerals (compare Duluth MN: 150/295 in Saint Louis County comparable; Superior WI: 158/310 in Douglas County comparable; Cloquet consistent hard from the same Carlton County St. Louis River Precambrian-Ordovician supply). The St. Louis River at Carlton County — Precambrian Canadian Shield greenstone (insoluble — dilutant), Ordovician Prairie du Chien Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary glacial drift (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 157 mg/L with TDS 308, Cloquet's water is hard — scale builds in appliances over months, water heaters benefit from annual flushing. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.8 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review the City of Cloquet's annual water quality report for the latest contaminant data.
Geology & Source: Cloquet in Carlton County draws from the Cloquet Water on the St. Louis River (Carlton County, northeast Minnesota) — the St. Louis River at Carlton County drains Precambrian Canadian Shield greenstone (insoluble) and Ordovician Prairie du Chien Formation (calcareous) — Minnesota Carlton County St. Louis River Precambrian-Ordovician supply produces hard water at 157 mg/L with TDS 307.7 mg/L.