Water hardness in Pueblo
10.5 gpg very hard
Tap water in Pueblo is very hard: 10.5 gpg (180 mg/L · 10.1 °dH · 18 °fH).
Source: Pueblo Board of Water Works - Your Water page (Water hardness data) (2026-10) · data checked 2026-10-19
Range across supply zones: 180–254 mg/L.
Pueblo Board of Water Works treats surface water from the Arkansas River and Lake Pueblo. Its website gives an average of 180 mg/L as CaCO3 (10.5 gpg) for Whitlock plant water, and the weekly reading on 16 October 2026 was 254 mg/L (14.8 gpg). The utility says hardness is lower in summer snowmelt and higher in winter. The page uses the average with the current reading as the top of the range. Scale is likely, most of all in winter.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 10.5 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Pueblo Board of Water Works |
How Pueblo compares
- Tap water in Pueblo is 16 % harder than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 591 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 56 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Colorado it is number 1 of 11 cities; the regional median is 6.1 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Centennial, 150 km away (6.7 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Pueblo
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H02 |
| Miele | 10 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 2 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H2 |
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 Pueblo water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 180 mg/L as CaCO₃ (10.5 gpg, 10.1 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Pueblo 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 Pueblo water?
10.5 gpg, equal to 10.1 °dH, 18 °fH or 180 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Pueblo?
For 180 mg/L (10.1 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Pueblo?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Pueblo Board of Water Works - Your Water page (Water hardness data) (2026-10). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Pueblo Board of Water Works - Your Water page (Water hardness data) · Outdated figure? Tell us