Cottonwood Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
17 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
824.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.78
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 Cottonwood Heights, your appliances are currently losing 39% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cottonwood Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3 yrs | 12 yrs | -75% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cottonwood Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cottonwood Heights, Utah | 291 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Holladay, Utah | 300.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Sandy Hills, Utah | 293.5 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Sandy, Utah | 293 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| East Millcreek, Utah | 165 mg/L | 2.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Cottonwood Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cottonwood Heights | 291 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cottonwood Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cottonwood Heights, Utah, in Salt Lake County — a major east Salt Lake County suburban community (Cottonwood Heights incorporated in 2005 from the unincorporated Cottonwood area — a significant east Salt Lake County community adjacent to the Cottonwood Canyon ski resorts), adjacent to Alta and Snowbird ski resorts (Cottonwood Heights is at the gateway to Big Cottonwood and Little Cottonwood Canyons — home of Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, and Solitude ski resorts, some of the most renowned ski destinations in the United States), an affluent east Salt Lake County community with a significant outdoor recreation, technology, and medical professional population, and part of the rapidly growing east Salt Lake Valley tech and professional corridor — draws its municipal water supply via the Salt Lake Valley Water Conservancy District. Water hardness in Cottonwood Heights measures 291 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Cottonwood Heights's very hard supply — harder than nearby Kearns (153.5 mg/L) in the SLVWCD system — reflects the east Salt Lake County distribution zone's characteristics and limited softening in the Cottonwood Heights area. The Wasatch Front watershed (Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons) draws from the same Mississippian Madison Limestone and Ordovician Fish Haven Dolomite (highly calcareous, raw hardness 350–500 mg/L). SLVWCD applies less softening in the east Cottonwood Heights mountain-adjacent zone, producing the very hard 291 mg/L.
At 291 mg/L, Cottonwood Heights residents face severe hard water challenges. Weekly descaling and appliance protection measures are strongly recommended. SLVWCD consistently delivers water meeting all Utah DWQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Mountain reservoir supply from the Cottonwood Canyons watershed via the Salt Lake Valley Water Conservancy District (SLVWCD) — the Salt Lake County east suburban Salt Lake City corridor (Ordovician Fish Haven Dolomite and Mississippian Madison Limestone — the highly calcareous Wasatch Front Paleozoic carbonate; SLVWCD Cottonwood Heights distribution); very hard supply at 291 mg/L in Salt Lake County.