Minnetonka Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.4 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
483.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.57
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 Minnetonka, your appliances are currently losing 28% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Minnetonka | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -69% |
| Washing Machine | 5.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -53% |
| Water Heater | 7.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -53% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Minnetonka compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Minnetonka, Minnesota | 213 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Hopkins, Minnesota | 265 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Chanhassen, Minnesota | 94.5 mg/L | 3.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Eden Prairie, Minnesota | 241 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Minnetonka Mills, Minnesota | 213.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Minnetonka compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Minnetonka | 213 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Minnetonka's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Minnetonka, Minnesota, in Hennepin County west of Minneapolis on Lake Minnetonka — the affluent western Hennepin County suburb home of General Mills' worldwide headquarters, UnitedHealth Group corporate campus, and extensive Lake Minnetonka recreation, one of the Twin Cities' most desirable suburban communities — draws its municipal water supply from the Prairie du Chien–Jordan Aquifer via the City of Minnetonka Water Division, blending some Minneapolis Water Works surface water. Water hardness in Minnetonka measures 213 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Minnetonka's very hard supply reflects the Hennepin County calcareous Paleozoic aquifer. The Prairie du Chien Dolomite (Ordovician Oneota and New Richmond Formations — the principal municipal aquifer for the Twin Cities western suburbs, highly calcareous dolomite of the Minneapolis area's Paleozoic aquifer stack) dissolves readily at the well-aquifer contact, contributing very high dissolved calcium and magnesium. The deeper Cambrian Jordan Sandstone (calcareous-cemented clean sandstone) contributes moderate additional dissolved minerals. The combined Prairie du Chien dolomite recharge produces the very hard 213 mg/L at Minnetonka's household taps.
At 213 mg/L, Minnetonka residents face significant hard water challenges. Scale deposits form rapidly on all fixtures and tile — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is essential maintenance. City of Minnetonka Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Minnesota MDH and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Prairie du Chien–Jordan Aquifer and the St. Peter Sandstone via the City of Minnetonka Water Division and Minneapolis Water Works blended supply — the Hennepin County Minneapolis western suburb (Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite and Cambrian Jordan Sandstone of the Minneapolis area calcareous aquifer stack); very hard supply at 213 mg/L in Hennepin County.