Minneapolis water hardness: about 5.5 grains per gallon
Minneapolis tap water is moderately hard: about 5.5 grains per gallon (94 ppm) on average. That figure comes from the City of Minneapolis 2025 record of plant water data (PDF, opens in new tab). Over the year it ranged from 80 to 113 ppm, or about 4.7 to 6.6 grains per gallon.
Minneapolis water hardness
Grains per gallon, from the City of Minneapolis 2025 plant water record. Sacramento river water shown for comparison.
Where does Minneapolis water come from?
Minneapolis draws its drinking water from the Mississippi River and treats it before it goes out to homes. The numbers above are for water leaving the city's treatment plant, tested all year long. The city also posts a monthly water analysis with hardness in grains per gallon.
Hardness shifts a little with the seasons as the river changes. In 2025 it stayed between about 4.7 and 6.6 grains per gallon. Many suburbs pump their own well water, which can be much harder, so check your city if you live outside Minneapolis.
What this means at home
- Light white scale on faucets and shower heads over time
- Some spotting on dishes and glasses
- Slow scale buildup inside water heaters
- Fewer hard water problems than in most big US cities
Do you need a water softener in Minneapolis?
Most homes on Minneapolis city water do not need one. At about 5.5 grains per gallon, scale is mild and easy to keep up with. If you live in a suburb on well water, the story can be very different. Test your tap before you buy anything.
Read do I need a water softener with city water? If taste is your concern, see reverse osmosis vs. a water softener.
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Is Minneapolis water hard?
It is moderately hard. The City of Minneapolis 2025 record of plant water data lists total hardness of 80 to 113 ppm, with an average of 94 ppm. That is about 4.7 to 6.6 grains per gallon.
How many grains per gallon is Minneapolis water?
About 5.5 grains per gallon on average in 2025, using 17.1 ppm per grain. The city's monthly reports list hardness in grains per gallon too.
Do suburbs have the same hardness?
Not always. Some suburbs buy Minneapolis water and others pump their own well water, which is often much harder. Check your own city's report or test your tap.
Keep reading
DataWater hardness by cityHow hard the tap water is in US cities, from each utility report.
City dataKansas City water hardness: 5 to 6 grains per gallon5 to 6 grains per gallon. Moderately hard.
GuideDo I need a water softener with city water?It depends on your city. Here is how to decide.
GuideReverse osmosis vs. water softener: which one do you need?They do different jobs. Here is how to pick.