Fridley Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
489.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.55
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 Fridley, your appliances are currently losing 27% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Fridley | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -67% |
| Washing Machine | 6 yrs | 12 yrs | -50% |
| Water Heater | 7.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -51% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Fridley compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fridley, Minnesota | 205 mg/L | 24.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Coon Rapids, Minnesota | 274 mg/L | 142.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Columbia Heights, Minnesota | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 31.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Mounds View, Minnesota | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| New Brighton, Minnesota | 410.88 mg/L | 51.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Fridley compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fridley | 205 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Fridley's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Fridley Public Works utility supplies drinking water to residents in Fridley, Minnesota, within Anoka County. Water originates exclusively from groundwater sourced from eleven wells ranging from 199 to 870 feet deep. No surface water sources such as rivers or reservoirs are utilized, and no specific treatment plant names are identified beyond standard municipal groundwater processing. Approximately half of Fridley homes use water softeners, reflecting the supply's high mineral content.
The supply derives from the Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer and related formations including the Prairie du Chien Group and Mt. Simon sandstone, part of ancient Cambrian-Ordovician bedrock in Minnesota's geological basin. This limestone-dolomite aquifer dissolves minerals over time, yielding a hard supply at 205 mg/L with elevated calcium and magnesium. The subsurface geology shapes a mineralised profile typical of the region's karst-influenced groundwater, contrasting with softer northern glacial deposits.
Hard water at 205 mg/L promotes significant scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Maintenance includes regular descaling, vinegar rinses, and cleaning aerators. A water softener is widely recommended and used in approximately half of Fridley homes. Water meets all EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards; lead and copper testing confirmed full compliance. One well was taken offline in 2016 due to PFAS impact; traces of 1,4-dioxane detected at 2.9–5.5 ppb, well below MDH guidance with extremely low risk.
Geology & Source: Eleven wells 199–870 ft deep tapping Prairie du Chien-Jordan aquifer, Prairie du Chien Group, and Mt. Simon formations; Cambrian-Ordovician sandstone and dolomite; limestone dissolution yields hard 205 mg/L supply
Other Minnesota Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fridley's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Fridley?
How does Fridley compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Fridley 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.