Colorado River

River · Southwest

Serves 36 cities in our database · ~15,697,738 residents

263
Avg Hardness (PPM)
17
Avg PFAS (ppt)
3
Avg Lead (ppb)
36
Cities Served
Soft
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
263 PPM Extremely Hard
CONTAMINANT LEVELS Hardness 263 PPM TDS 430 PPM PFAS 17 ppt Lead 3 ppb Chlorine 1.3 mg/L Nitrate 2 mg/L

About Colorado River

The Colorado River supplies water to 40 million people across seven states and Mexico. Declining water levels due to drought and overallocation have made it one of the most contested water sources in America.

Geography & Hydrology

The river flows 1,450 miles from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of California. Lake Mead and Lake Powell are the two largest reservoirs. The Central Arizona Project canal carries Colorado River water 336 miles to Phoenix and Tucson.

How Colorado River Water Is Treated

The high mineral content from desert geology requires extensive treatment. Most utilities use conventional treatment plus granular activated carbon for taste and odor. Las Vegas recycles nearly all indoor water back to Lake Mead.

Across the 36 cities we track, water from Colorado River averages 263 PPM hardness (Extremely Hard), ranging from 180 to 300 PPM. This is very hard water - most homeowners benefit from a water softener.

PFAS concern: Cities supplied by Colorado River average 17 ppt PFAS, exceeding the 2024 EPA limit of 4 ppt. An NSF P473 certified filter is recommended for drinking water.

Current Challenges

Chronic drought reducing reservoir levels, rising salinity as water levels drop, PFAS contamination near military installations, and competing demands from agriculture, cities, and environmental flows.

Cities Supplied by Colorado River

Water quality varies by city due to local treatment, distribution infrastructure, and source blending.

Las Vegas, NV

290 PPM · Extremely Hard 1,539,277 residents

Enterprise, NV

285 PPM · Extremely Hard 1,539,277 residents

Paradise, NV

290 PPM · Extremely Hard 1,539,277 residents

Spring Valley, NV

288 PPM · Extremely Hard 1,539,277 residents

Sunrise Manor, NV

287 PPM · Extremely Hard 1,539,277 residents

La Jolla, CA

270 PPM · Extremely Hard 1,385,379 residents

Austin, TX

180 PPM · Very Hard 1,115,323 residents

Tucson, AZ

288 PPM · Extremely Hard 732,906 residents

Long Beach, CA

204 PPM · Very Hard 466,772 residents

Irvine South, CA

280 PPM · Extremely Hard 444,800 residents

Irvine North, CA

270 PPM · Extremely Hard 444,800 residents

Anaheim Hills, CA

260 PPM · Extremely Hard 348,593 residents

Henderson South, NV

290 PPM · Extremely Hard 336,534 residents

Chandler, AZ

300 PPM · Extremely Hard 247,328 residents

Scottsdale, AZ

250 PPM · Extremely Hard 241,361 residents

Glendale, AZ

294 PPM · Extremely Hard 234,766 residents

Chula Vista, CA

216 PPM · Very Hard 191,282 residents

Peoria, AZ

235 PPM · Very Hard 187,676 residents

Peoria West, AZ

240 PPM · Very Hard 187,676 residents

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

280 PPM · Extremely Hard 168,289 residents

Tempe, AZ

299 PPM · Extremely Hard 165,000 residents

Midland, TX

283 PPM · Extremely Hard 157,000 residents

Surprise, AZ

258 PPM · Extremely Hard 127,718 residents

San Marcos, CA

202 PPM · Very Hard 113,500 residents

Yuma, AZ

264 PPM · Extremely Hard 103,264 residents

Leander, TX

185 PPM · Very Hard 98,330 residents

San Tan Valley, AZ

290 PPM · Extremely Hard 87,435 residents

Encinitas, CA

300 PPM · Extremely Hard 86,458 residents

Avondale, AZ

288 PPM · Extremely Hard 83,001 residents

Lake Havasu City, AZ

270 PPM · Extremely Hard 54,610 residents

Lake Forest, CA

280 PPM · Extremely Hard 51,800 residents

Goodyear, AZ

291 PPM · Extremely Hard 50,001 residents

Bullhead City, AZ

280 PPM · Extremely Hard 36,330 residents

Fountain Hills, AZ

300 PPM · Extremely Hard 26,026 residents

Manor, TX

200 PPM · Very Hard 19,620 residents

West Covina, CA

195 PPM · Very Hard 7,775 residents

Recommended for Colorado River Water

Based on average water quality across 36 cities supplied by Colorado River.

Water Softener SpringWell SS1 ~$1,495 Scale Remover CLR Calcium Lime Rust ~$10 PFAS Filter Clearly Filtered Pitcher ~$90

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission on purchases. Recommendations based on water quality data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colorado River water safe to drink?
Water from Colorado River meets EPA safety standards in all served cities. However, average PFAS levels of 17 ppt exceed the 2024 EPA health guideline. A certified water filter is recommended for drinking water.
Why is Colorado River water so hard?
Colorado River water picks up dissolved calcium and magnesium from the geological formations along its path. At 263 PPM average, this makes it extremely hard.
How many people drink Colorado River water?
Colorado River supplies drinking water to 36 cities in our database, serving approximately 15,697,738 residents. The largest cities include Las Vegas, NV; Enterprise, NV; Paradise, NV.
Do I need a water filter for Colorado River water?
Yes. With PFAS averaging 17 ppt, a reverse osmosis or activated carbon filter is recommended. Look for NSF P473 certification.