Is Minnesota Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Water quality data for 16 cities across Minnesota. Find your city below.

Water quality in Minnesota varies significantly from city to city. Across 16 cities we track, hardness ranges from 21 PPM in Duluth to 271 PPM in Woodbury, with a statewide average of 216 PPM. 14 of 16 cities have hard water above 120 PPM where a water softener provides measurable benefits.

2 Minnesota cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Woodbury (280.48 ppt), Brooklyn Park (41.7 ppt). A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.

16
Cities
216
Avg Hardness (PPM)
271
Hardest City (PPM)

Complete Minnesota Guide

Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.

Well Water in Minnesota

Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.

Hardest Water Rankings

Minnesota cities ranked by water hardness level.

City Treatment Guides

Sized recommendations based on each city's specific water data.

Minneapolis

200 PPM 🧂 Best Softener

St. Paul East

170 PPM 🧂 Best Softener

City Comparisons

Woodbury vs Duluth

Side-by-side water quality comparison.

Woodbury vs Mankato

Side-by-side water quality comparison.

Mankato vs Lakeville

Side-by-side water quality comparison.

Minnesota Cities by Water Hardness

CityHardness (PPM)LevelPFAS (ppt)Source
Woodbury 271 Extremely Hard 280.48 Groundwater wells
Mankato 270 Extremely Hard 0 Blue Earth River & wells
Lakeville 265 Extremely Hard 0 Jordan Aquifer deep wells
Eden Prairie 260 Extremely Hard 11.7 Local wells
Bloomington 257 Extremely Hard 11.18 Minneapolis Water (Mississippi River)
Burnsville 255 Extremely Hard 24.25 Local wells & Minnesota River
Plymouth 254 Extremely Hard 11.48 Groundwater wells
Maple Grove 250 Extremely Hard 10.1 Prairie du Chien-Jordan Aquifer
Blaine 245 Very Hard 17.98 Local wells
Brooklyn Park 240 Very Hard 41.7 Mississippi River & wells
St. Cloud 230 Very Hard 6.4 Mississippi River
Minneapolis 200 Very Hard 7.89 Mississippi River
Rochester 200 Very Hard 3.45 Groundwater wells
St. Paul East 170 Hard 17.55 Mississippi River + wells
St. Paul 68 Moderately Hard 17.55 Mississippi River
Duluth 21 Slightly Hard 0 Lake Superior

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Water

Is Minnesota tap water safe to drink?
Minnesota tap water meets EPA legal standards in most cities. 2 cities have PFAS levels above the EPA health advisory of 4 ppt. The statewide average hardness of 216 PPM means most homes deal with hard water effects like scale buildup, though hardness is not a health concern. Check your specific city above for detailed data.
Do I need a water softener in Minnesota?
Most Minnesota cities would benefit from a water softener. The state average is 216 PPM, and 88% of cities exceed 120 PPM where softener benefits become measurable. A salt-based softener reduces scale damage, energy waste, and product use.
Which Minnesota city has the hardest water?
Woodbury has the hardest water in Minnesota at 271 PPM (15.8 GPG). Mankato is second at 270 PPM. See the full ranking.
What contaminants are in Minnesota water?
The most common concerns across Minnesota are hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium), and PFAS (forever chemicals) detected in 2 cities. Each city has different levels - check your city above for specific contaminant data.
How much does a water softener cost in Minnesota?
A whole-house water softener for a typical Minnesota home costs $800-$2,500 installed, depending on capacity and brand. At 216 PPM average hardness, most homes need a 32,000-48,000 grain system. Full cost breakdown.

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Guides

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Common Issues

Hard Water PFAS Lead Chlorine