Water hardness in Broomfield
4.8 gpg moderately hard
Tap water in Broomfield is moderately hard: 4.8 gpg (82 mg/L · 4.6 °dH · 8.2 °fH).
Source: City and County of Broomfield 2023 Annual Water Quality Report (2023) · data checked 2026-10-20
Range across supply zones: 24–140 mg/L.
Broomfield's 2023 water quality report prints a citywide hardness range of 24 to 140 mg/L as CaCO₃, with no average in the table we could read. The spread is wide, so hardness at your tap depends on the time of year and the supply reaching your street. We have not checked the 2024 or 2025 reports yet. Treat the range as the answer, not a single number.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 4.8 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | City and County of Broomfield (Environmental Services, drinking water) |
How Broomfield compares
- Tap water in Broomfield is 47 % softer than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 1098 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 20 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Colorado it is number 8 of 11 cities; the regional median is 6.1 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Boulder, 19 km away (2.5 gpg).
- Nearest city with clearly harder water: Denver, 22 km away (6.1 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Visible kettle scale every few weeks; vinegar or citric acid is enough.
- Water heater and washing machine: some long-term scale; a scale inhibitor slows it.
- Dishwasher: medium salt setting.
- Softener optional; pays off mainly with a gas boiler or tankless heater.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Optional. A scale inhibitor or a small softener protects the heater; soap savings are modest.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 3 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Broomfield
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H00 |
| Miele | 5 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 1st |
| Hoover | S1 |
| LG | H1 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Broomfield water hard or soft?
It is moderately hard: 82 mg/L as CaCO₃ (4.8 gpg, 4.6 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Broomfield safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Broomfield water?
4.8 gpg, equal to 4.6 °dH, 8.2 °fH or 82 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Broomfield?
For 82 mg/L (4.6 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: level 2–3.
Do I need a water softener in Broomfield?
Not essential; a scale inhibitor protects the heater cheaply.
Source
Source: City and County of Broomfield 2023 Annual Water Quality Report (2023). Method: computed from supplier's calcium and magnesium. City and County of Broomfield 2023 Annual Water Quality Report · Outdated figure? Tell us