Willmar Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
388.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.49
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 Willmar, your appliances are currently losing 25% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Willmar | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -59% |
| Washing Machine | 6.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Willmar compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Willmar, Minnesota | 184 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Hutchinson, Minnesota | 76 mg/L | 2.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Sartell, Minnesota | 252.5 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Saint Cloud, Minnesota | 120 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Sauk Rapids, Minnesota | 256 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Willmar compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Willmar | 184 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Willmar's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Willmar, Minnesota, in Kandiyohi County — the Kandiyohi County seat in west-central Minnesota, a regional center and county seat on the Crow River headwaters in the Alexandrian Moraine and Grantsburg Sublobe glaciated lake district — receives its municipal water from the Willmar Public Utilities Commission, which draws from the Crow River system or local lake-connected groundwater sources in Kandiyohi County.
The moderately hard 184 mg/L hardness and TDS of 388.1 mg/L reflect the Kandiyohi County glaciated terrain's calcareous character. The Crow River headwaters in Kandiyohi County drain the Des Moines Lobe glacial till — some of the most calcareous Pleistocene glacial deposits in Minnesota. The underlying Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite and Cambrian carbonate contribute to the dissolved mineral content. The Kandiyohi County lake district is studded with marl-bottom lakes (highly calcareous — characteristic of the prairie pothole district), reflecting the high dissolved calcium and bicarbonate of the regional water chemistry.
At 184 mg/L, Willmar's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Camp Ripley (Morrison County MN Army National Guard training area), 3M's Minnesota manufacturing legacy, and the Kandiyohi County agricultural-industrial PFAS background contribute to Willmar's PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Willmar in Kandiyohi County draws from Willmar Public Utilities on the Crow River or Kandiyohi County lakes system — the Crow River drains the Minnesota Drift Plains (Pleistocene calcareous glacial till over Ordovician Prairie du Chien Dolomite) — Minnesota calcareous glacial till drainage produces moderately hard water at 184 mg/L with elevated TDS 388 mg/L in this Kandiyohi County Minnesota city.