Hopkins Water Softener and Drinking Water Guide

The City of Hopkins provides drinking water to its residents from a groundwater source: three wells ranging from 495 to 548 feet deep, that draw water from the Prairie Du Chien-Jordan aquifer. The city filters iron out of the water down to a level of .03ppm (parts per million), however, some iron still remains and causes buildup inside the water mains.

Occasionally water turns brown when hydrant flushing, water main breaks, or service leaks cause iron buildup in the water mains to dislodge and release this iron back into the tap water.

Soft Water
National Hardness Average
Hopkins Water Hardness

Hopkins Water Softener Recommendations

The national average for water hardness is 5gpg (grains per gallon). Hopkins water hardness ranges from 18-20gpg, which is almost 4x harder than average.

A water softener will protect your water heater, plumbing, and appliances from hard water damage. A high efficiency water softener will offer the same protection, but will use far less water and salt.

Need the Right Water Softener or Filter for Your Home in Hopkins, MN?

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Hopkins Water Reports

The City of Hopkins does regular water testing and publishes the results in Annual Drinking Water Reports. These reports explain which water contaminants, and what levels have been found.

2019 Hopkins, MN Water Report
2019 Hopkins – ELEVATED COPPER LEVELS – special report
2018 Hopkins, MN Water Report
2017 Hopkins, MN Water Report
2016 Hopkins, MN Water Report
2015 Hopkins, MN Water Report
2014 Hopkins Water Report
2013 Hopkins Water Report
2012 Hopkins Water Report
2011 Hopkins Water Report
2010 Hopkins Water Report
2009 Hopkins Water Report

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The EPA has two standards for drinking water contaminants:

MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level
The legal limit for a certain contaminant

MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level GOAL
The level with ZERO HEALTH RISKS, aka the “Health Limit”

All water contaminants meet the EPA’s “Legal Limit”. Contaminants that exceed the EPA’s Health Limit have been highlighted below.

Inorganic Contaminants

Inorganic contaminants include natural and manmade salts and metals. You are mostly exposed to inorganics through drinking water, most do not easily pass through skin. Carbon Filters (refrigerator and faucet filters) have almost ZERO impact on these contaminants. Reverse Osmosis very effective at removing inorganic contaminants.

Contaminant	Amount Found	Health Limit	Legal Limit	Potential Effects
Arsenic	1.48	0	10	Skin damage or problems w/ circulatory systems, increased risk of cancer
Barium	0.16	2	2	Increase in blood pressure
Fluoride	1.0-1.6	4	4	Bone disease;children may get mottled teeth
Nitrate	0.15-0.34	10	10	Blue-baby syndrome

Organic Contaminants

Organic contaminants can come from either natural sources like algae, or man-made chemicals. You can be exposed through drinking water, absorption through skin (bathing), and inhalation. This makes a Hybrid Filter System, or Whole House Carbon Filter a good preventative tool.

Contaminant	Amount Found	Health Limit	Legal Limit	Potential Effects
cis-1, 2-Dichloroethylene	0.3-1.5	70	70	Liver problems
Toluene	0.2-0.4	100	100	Nervous system, liver, or kidney problems
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene	0.15-0.30	100	100	Liver problems

Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts

Disinfectants are added to kill bacteria. Disinfectants like Chlorine react with other chemicals and create “Disinfection Byproducts. These chemicals enter the body through inhalation, absorption through skin, and drinking water. A Whole House Carbon Filter is a good preventative tool in addition to a Drinking Water System for these compounds.

Contaminant	Amount Found	Health Limit	Legal Limit	Potential Effects
Chlorine	0.2-1.7	4	4	Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort
Chloroform	0.78-1.0	5.7	80	Nervous system depression, increase in kidney and liver tumors
Haloacetic Acids	0.7-2.0	0	80	Increased risk of cancer
Total Trihalomethanes	0.5-1.5	0	60	Increased risk of cancer

Radionuclide Contaminants

Radionuclides in water may occur naturally, or come from oil and gas production or mining activities. These can be inhaled, or consumed through drinking water.

Contaminant	Amount Found	Legal Limit	Potential Effects
Alpha Emitter	5.3-8.1	15.4	Increased risk of cancer
Combined Radium	1.4-2.6	5	Increased risk of cancer
Radon	133	NA	Increased risk of cancer

This information was compiled from Hopkin’s water treatment reports, the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), Minnesota Department of Health(DOH), World Health Organization(WHO), and Environmental Working Group(EWG).