Hopkins Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
679.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.71
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 Hopkins, your appliances are currently losing 35% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hopkins | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -68% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hopkins compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hopkins, Minnesota | 265 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Minnetonka Mills, Minnesota | 213.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Minnetonka, Minnesota | 213 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Eden Prairie, Minnesota | 241 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Plymouth, Minnesota | 128 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Hopkins compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hopkins | 265 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Hopkins home
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What Makes Hopkins's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hopkins, Minnesota, in Hennepin County — a Hennepin County city adjacent to St. Louis Park and Eden Prairie in the west Minneapolis metro — receives its municipal water from the Minneapolis Water Works, drawing from the Mississippi River at the Minneapolis intake (Hennepin County) through the Minneapolis water treatment system.
The extremely hard 265 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 679.2 mg/L reflect the Minneapolis metro's famously hard Mississippi River supply — among the hardest river water supplies in the upper Midwest. The upper Mississippi at Minneapolis drains the Minnesota Drift Plain — Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group dolomite and Oneota Dolomite (the dominant regional carbonate aquifer — high recharge contribution), Devonian Glenwood Formation (slightly calcareous), and calcareous Pleistocene Des Moines Lobe till (ground-up carbonate bedrock). The combination produces the characteristically very hard Minneapolis-area water.
At 265 mg/L with TDS 679, Hopkins' water is extremely hard. A water softener is essential. Scale builds immediately on all surfaces, appliance lifespans are severely shortened, and water heaters require annual descaling without softening. The PFAS level of 7.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Hennepin County industrial corridor, the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro PFAS complex, and the upper Mississippi River PFAS background contribute to Hopkins' readings.
Geology & Source: Hopkins in Hennepin County draws from the Minneapolis Water Works on the Mississippi River (Hennepin County, Minnesota) — the upper Mississippi drains the Minnesota Drift Plain (Ordovician Prairie du Chien dolomite, calcareous Pleistocene Des Moines Lobe till) — Minnesota Hennepin County Mississippi River Ordovician carbonate watershed produces extremely hard water at 265 mg/L with TDS 679.2 mg/L in this Hennepin County Minnesota city.