Bismarck Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Bismarck Municipal Water Utility serves approximately 61,518 residents in Bismarck, North Dakota, primarily in Burleigh County. Water is sourced from a horizontal collector well adjacent to the Missouri River south of the Memorial Bridge, drawing from an 80-foot-deep aquifer directly recharged by the river; a direct river intake upstream acts as backup. The Bismarck Water Treatment Facility processes this supply, with average daily production at 9.36 million gallons, peaking at 504.723 million gallons in summer months, delivering treated water across the city's distribution network.

The Missouri River watershed, spanning the Great Plains, feeds this supply through river-recharged alluvial aquifers composed of Quaternary sands and gravels overlying Cretaceous and Tertiary shales, sandstones, and limestones. These geological formations dissolve calcium and magnesium into the groundwater, yielding a moderately hard supply with elevated mineral content. The direct hydraulic connection to the river ensures the water reflects the watershed's mineralised character, shaped by upstream drainage across prairie soils and bedrock exposures throughout the basin.

Hard water at 132 mg/L promotes scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and pipes, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Fabrics may stiffen, and soap lathering decreases, often requiring more detergent. Regular maintenance such as deliming appliances and flushing water heaters is advised; a water softener is recommended for households. The 2023 Water Quality Report confirms compliance with all EPA and state standards; average pH is 9.17, total alkalinity 61 mg/L, and fluoride 0.77 mg/L.