How hard is the water in Boulder City?

Boulder City water has a hardness level of 17 GPG (290 PPM), which is classified as "Very Hard." This is essentially identical to the broader Las Vegas Valley despite Boulder City's proximity to Lake Mead.

Do I need a water softener in Boulder City?

With water hardness at 17 GPG, a salt-based water softener is highly recommended. The hard water causes scale buildup in pipes and appliances, reduces soap effectiveness, and leaves spots on dishes. Set your softener to 17 GPG for Boulder City conditions.

Is Boulder City water safe to drink?

Yes, Boulder City water meets or exceeds all EPA and state safety standards. The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report confirmed no health violations and all 14 detected contaminants were within allowable levels. Water hardness poses no health risks—calcium and magnesium are essential nutrients.

Water Hardness in Boulder City, Nevada

Q: Does Boulder City have its own water utility?

Yes. Boulder City operates an independent municipal water utility, separate from LVVWD. However, the city purchases 100% of its treated drinking water from the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). Boulder City is one of seven SNWA member agencies and maintains its own Colorado River water allocation (18,742 acre-feet/year).

Q: Does being close to Lake Mead make the water different?

No. Despite being just 6 miles from Lake Mead, Boulder City receives the same treated water as Las Vegas—from the same SNWA treatment facility. Water hardness is determined by the Colorado River's journey through mineral-rich canyons, not proximity to the lake. All SNWA communities have similar hardness levels.

Q: Where does Boulder City get its water?

Boulder City receives 100% of its drinking water from SNWA, sourced from Lake Mead (97% Colorado River). Water is treated at the Alfred Merritt Smith facility and delivered via pipeline. The city also uses raw (untreated) water from Lake Mead for golf course irrigation.

Official water hardness data from the Boulder City Utilities Department

Hardness Level

17 GPG

290 PPM

Classification

Very Hard

Water Source

Lake Mead

via SNWA

Last Updated

July 2025

CCR Report

What This Means For You

At 17 grains per gallon (GPG), Boulder City has very hard water—essentially the same as the broader Las Vegas Valley. Despite being located just 6 miles from Lake Mead, proximity to the water source doesn't affect hardness levels.

Boulder City purchases 100% of its treated drinking water from the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). Despite being located just 6 miles from Lake Mead, water is treated at the Alfred Merritt Smith facility and delivered via pipeline—the same source as Las Vegas. The city maintains independent utility operations with its own Colorado River allocation (18,742 acre-feet/year).

While hard water is completely safe to drink (calcium and magnesium are essential minerals), it causes practical problems in homes: scale buildup in pipes and water heaters, reduced appliance efficiency, spotty dishes, dry skin and hair, and the need for more soap and detergent.

Mineral Composition

Calcium

80 mg/L

Magnesium

30 mg/L

Total Dissolved Solids

600 mg/L

Lake Mead Proximity

Common misconception: Being closer to Lake Mead doesn't mean different water quality.

All SNWA communities receive water from the same treatment facility. Water hardness is determined by the Colorado River's 1,400-mile journey through mineral-rich limestone and canyons—not distance from the lake. Boulder City (6 mi), Las Vegas (24 mi), and Henderson all have similar hardness levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Source

Data sourced from the official Consumer Confidence Report published by the Boulder City Utilities Department.

View Official Water Quality Report →