North Branch Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.9 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
246.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.36
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 North Branch, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In North Branch | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -39% |
| Washing Machine | 8.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -28% |
| Water Heater | 10.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -32% |
Regional Water Comparison
How North Branch compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Branch, Minnesota | 134.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Forest Lake, Minnesota | 184 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| East Bethel, Minnesota | 217.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Hugo, Minnesota | 283 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Lino Lakes, Minnesota | 176.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How North Branch compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Branch | 134.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes North Branch's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
North Branch, Minnesota, in Chisago County — a Chisago County city adjacent to Lindstrom and Chisago City in the St. Croix Valley area northeast of the Twin Cities — receives its water from the City of North Branch Water Department, drawing from the North Branch wellfield through the east-central Minnesota distribution.
The hard 134.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 246.5 mg/L reflect the Chisago County supply's hard glacial-carbonate character — the Quaternary Superior Lobe glacial till and Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group are calcareous formations in east-central Minnesota; the North Branch wells draw from Ordovician carbonate bedrock aquifer beneath the glacial till, producing consistently hard water throughout the Chisago County area (compare Lindstrom MN: 131/239 in Chisago County comparable; Chisago City MN: 137/254 in Chisago County comparable; North Branch consistent hard from the same Chisago County Ordovician well supply). The North Branch wellfield — Quaternary Superior Lobe glacial till (calcareous — secondary contributor), Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary St. Croix Valley glaciofluvial deposit (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 134.5 mg/L with TDS 247, North Branch's water is hard — scale builds in appliances. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.2 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review the City of North Branch's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: North Branch in Chisago County draws from the North Branch Water on the North Branch wells (Chisago County, east-central Minnesota) — the east-central Minnesota glacial plain at Chisago County draws from Quaternary Superior Lobe glacial till (calcareous) and Ordovician Prairie du Chien Group (calcareous) — Minnesota Chisago County Ordovician well supply produces hard water at 134.5 mg/L with TDS 246.5 mg/L.