Is Woodbury, MN Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Woodbury tap water is legally compliant, but one contaminant exceeds health guidelines. Specifically: PFAS above EPA limits (PFOA: 8.25 ppt, PFOS: 5.9 ppt — limit is 4 ppt each). A point-of-use filter is recommended for drinking and cooking water. Woodbury also has very hard water at 271 PPM.
Hardness Scale: Where Woodbury Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Woodbury Compares
Woodbury's water is 96% harder than the national average of 138 PPM. It ranks #117 out of 1000 cities in our database (harder than 88% of US cities we track). Within Minnesota, Woodbury has the hardest water out of 16 cities - 25% above the state average of 216 PPM. Among cities (50k-100k), Woodbury ranks #32 of 258 for hardness. At this hardness level, water heaters run an estimated 50% less efficiently due to scale insulation, and major water-using appliances typically last 4 years less than the national average lifespan.
What Woodbury's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 271 PPM - Treatment Recommended
Woodbury has some extremely hard water. At 271 PPM (15.8 grains per gallon), your tap is loaded with dissolved calcium and magnesium picked up from underground limestone and dolomite formations. Here's the thing: it's perfectly safe to drink. The minerals won't hurt you. But they will hurt your wallet. That adds up. Hard water at 271 PPM increases household costs through scale-coated water heaters that use more energy, extra soap and detergent, and appliances that wear out faster. Most Woodbury homeowners don't realize it until the plumber shows up. That's 25% harder than the Minnesota average.
Contaminants & Safety
Forever chemicals (PFAS) are worth watching here. Woodbury has PFOA at 8.25 ppt and PFOS at 5.9 ppt, exceeding the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 ppt per compound. PFAS are synthetic compounds that accumulate in your body over time. A certified carbon filter or reverse osmosis system with NSF P473 certification is the most effective protection. See the regulatory timeline.
What's in the Treatment Process
Chromium-6 is naturally present in Woodbury's aquifer geology at 0.161 ppb — 8x the EWG health guideline. There's no federal legal limit for chromium-6 specifically (only total chromium), which is why EWG tracks it separately. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
How Hard Water Affects Your Home
At 271 PPM, untreated hard water has measurable effects on household costs and appliance life:
- Water heater inefficiency: Scale insulation forces the heater to work harder (DOE estimates up to 22% more energy for heavily scaled units)
- Soap and detergent: Hard water reduces lathering, requiring significantly more product
- Appliance replacement: Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines fail 2-4 years earlier due to scale buildup
- Plumbing maintenance: Scale buildup in pipes reduces flow and requires more frequent service
Note: Impact varies by household size, water usage, and local energy costs. A home water test provides the most accurate assessment for your specific situation.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 271 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ⚠ Very Hard |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 445 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ⚠ Elevated |
| PFAS (total) | 280.48 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 8.25 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| ↳ PFOS | 5.9 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ⚠ Exceeds |
| Lead | 2 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.2 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.828 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Woodbury Homes
Our Top Picks for Woodbury (271 PPM)
Hard water at 271 PPM causes scale buildup, increased energy use, and premature appliance failure. A softener protects your plumbing and appliances.
Recommended Filter for Woodbury
PFAS exceed EPA limits (PFOA: 8.25 ppt, PFOS: 5.9 ppt — limit: 4 ppt each). A certified filter reduces these contaminants effectively.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.2 mg/L chlorine, many Woodbury residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Woodbury
With PFAS at 280.48 ppt in Woodbury's supply, confirming your home's specific levels is especially important. PFAS vary by neighborhood and can concentrate differently depending on your position in the distribution system.
Free option: Request City of Woodbury's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Woodbury's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Woodbury
Water Source: Groundwater wells (Groundwater)
Population Served: 82,643
Hardness: 271 PPM (15.8 grains per gallon)
Woodbury draws its drinking water from groundwater sources — Groundwater wells. Groundwater typically requires less treatment than surface water because the earth acts as a natural filter. The tradeoff: dissolved minerals from underground rock formations, which is why hardness is elevated here. Calcium and magnesium dissolve into the water as it moves through limestone and dolomite. The system serves 83,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Woodbury's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Woodbury in Woodbury, MN, including ZIP codes:
54001, 54002, 54003, 54004, 54005, 54007, 54009, 54010, 54011, 54013, 54014, 54015, 54016, 54017, 54021, 54022, 54023, 54025, 54026, 54028, 54082, 54723, 54750, 54767, 54889, 55001, 55003, 55016, 55033, 55042, 55043, 55055, 55066, 55071, 55076, 55082, 55089, 55125, 55128, 55129
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Water Softener Sizing for Woodbury
At 271 PPM (15.8 GPG), here is how to size a softener for your Woodbury home. Multiply hardness in GPG (15.8) by daily water usage (roughly 50 gallons per person). A family of four uses about 200 gallons/day: 15.8 GPG × 200 gal = 3160 grains/day. Over a 7-day regeneration cycle, that is 22,120 grains - a 32,000-grain softener is the right fit for most Woodbury households.
Compare Woodbury to Other Minnesota Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Woodbury Water
Is Woodbury tap water safe to drink?
Where does Woodbury's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Woodbury?
How do I remove PFAS from Woodbury tap water?
What water filter is best for Woodbury?
Is Woodbury water safe for babies and infants?
Does Woodbury water damage tankless water heaters?
Do I need both a softener AND a filter in Woodbury?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Woodbury Homeowners Actually Buy
Prioritized for contaminant reduction for homes with 271 PPM water and PFAS above EPA limits.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Woodbury's water data.