List of States That Have Hard Water

Hard Water States (Very Common)

High calcium & magnesium; scale buildup common.

Arizona

Texas

New Mexico

Nevada

Utah

Colorado

Wyoming

Oklahoma

Kansas

Nebraska

South Dakota

North Dakota

Iowa

Illinois

Indiana

Ohio

Missouri

Kentucky

Tennessee

Michigan (southern areas)

Florida (especially central & south)

Moderately Hard Water States

Mixed sources; hardness varies by city.

California

Oregon (eastern areas)

Washington (eastern areas)

Pennsylvania

New York (upstate)

Virginia

North Carolina

South Carolina

Georgia

Alabama

Mississippi

Arkansas

Louisiana

Soft Water States (More Common)

Low mineral content; less scale.

Maine

New Hampshire

Vermont

Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Connecticut

New Jersey (many areas)

New York City

West Virginia

Michigan (northern areas)

Minnesota (northeast)

Washington (western areas)

Oregon (western areas)

Alaska

Hawaii

Aquarium & Home Tip 🐟

• Hard water → better for livebearers (guppies, mollies), African cichlids
  

• Soft water → better for tetras, discus, angelfish
  

• Tap water reports or test kits give exact hardness (GH/KH)
  
  Common Questions:                                                                                                  How to Know if We Have Hard Water                                                                          Best Aquarium Fish for Hard Water                                                                                List of States That Have Hard Water