Sheridan Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
354 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Sheridan, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Sheridan | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Sheridan compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sheridan, Wyoming | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Gillette, Wyoming | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| Billings, Montana | 157 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Casper, Wyoming | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Riverton, Wyoming | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 125.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Sheridan compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sheridan | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Sheridan's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
SHERIDAN, CITY OF supplies drinking water to the city of Sheridan, Wyoming, sourcing entirely from surface water in the Big Horn National Forest's Big Goose drainage, including creeks, streams, lakes, and high-elevation reservoirs. The utility is located at 6 Soldier Creek Rd, Sheridan, WY 82801, and can be contacted at 307-674-8532. Treatment is conventional, employing chlorine and hypochlorite as disinfectants. The system serves Sheridan County with water quality rated good — an 80/100 score — and no active EPA violations on record as of 2026.
The Big Goose drainage watershed in the Big Horn National Forest is shaped by Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary geology featuring limestones, sandstones, and shales. Carbonate-rich formations including the Madison Limestone (Mississippian period) and Tensleep Sandstone (Pennsylvanian) naturally release calcium and magnesium ions during snowmelt and rainfall infiltration. No groundwater component or named aquifer is involved; the hard character results entirely from seasonal mineral dissolution as surface water flows through these mountain rock formations.
At hard water levels, scale buildup occurs in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Boilers and fixtures are most visibly affected by mineral deposits. Regular vinegar descaling and installing scale inhibitors are recommended; a water softener using ion exchange can exchange hardness minerals for sodium, preventing spots on dishes and soap scum in bathrooms. The 2026 water quality report indicates 34 contaminants detected, none above EPA standards, and no active violations, with water meeting Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Big Horn Mountains surface water — Paleozoic limestones, sandstones, shales; Madison Limestone (Mississippian) and Tensleep Sandstone (Pennsylvanian) leach calcium and magnesium into Big Goose drainage, producing hard water
Other Wyoming Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sheridan's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Sheridan?
How does Sheridan compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Sheridan is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
Water Hardness
Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
TDS — Total Dissolved Solids
Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.
PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.
Lead
Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Appliance Lifespan
Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.