Is Laramie, WY Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Laramie tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 66 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Laramie Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Laramie Compares
Laramie's water is 52% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 65% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Wyoming, it ranks #7 of 7 cities (61% below the state average of 168 PPM). Among smaller cities, Laramie ranks #152 of 288 for hardness.
What Laramie's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 66 PPM - Low Concern
Laramie's water is moderately hard at 66 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Laramie's water has TTHMs at 15.2 ppb and HAA5 at 5.5 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Laramie's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 15.2 ppb (19% of the legal limit, but 101x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 5.5 ppb (9% of the legal limit, but 55x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.198 ppb, which is 9.9x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 66 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 124 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 1.3 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.5 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 1.51 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Laramie Homes
How to Test Your Water in Laramie
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request City of Laramie's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Laramie's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Laramie
Water Source: Albany County groundwater (Surface Water)
Population Served: 32,395
Hardness: 66 PPM (3.9 grains per gallon)
Laramie's drinking water comes from surface sources — Albany County groundwater. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 32,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Laramie'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 Laramie in Laramie, WY, including ZIP codes:
80428, 80430, 80434, 80477, 80480, 80487, 80488, 81625, 81626, 81638, 81639, 81653, 82051, 82055, 82058, 82063, 82070, 82071, 82072, 82073, 82083, 82084, 82201, 82301, 82323, 82324, 82325, 82327, 82329, 82331, 82332, 82334, 82335, 82615
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Laramie to Other Wyoming Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Laramie Water
Is Laramie tap water safe to drink?
Where does Laramie's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Laramie?
What is the hardness of Laramie water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Laramie's water?
Is chromium-6 in Laramie's water?
Can I drink Laramie tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Laramie compare to the Wyoming average?
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.