Water hardness / Portland
Is Portland water hard? No.
No. Portland tap water measures 6.3 to 82 mg/L of hardness as calcium carbonate, which is soft to moderately hard on the USGS scale. It is the range Portland Water Bureau publishes in its Portland Water Bureau, 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report, which gives no average.
Where Portland sits on the scale.
Portland's published range is 6.3 to 82 mg/L. On the USGS scale, that is soft to moderately hard.
0–60Moderate
61–120Hard
121–180Very hard
180+
What it means for curly hair
Soft water leaves little mineral residue, so water is unlikely to be the reason your curls feel dull or stiff. Look first at product buildup, porosity and the weather.
Hard water is a plausible factor, not a proven cause of breakage. Sudden shedding, itching, flaking or scalp pain needs a dermatologist, not a chelating routine.
Change less. Learn more.
What to try
No chelating routine is needed for the water. A regular clarifying wash handles product buildup.
What to avoid
Do not clarify or chelate every wash: it strips more than minerals.
Do not blame the water for sudden shedding, itching, flaking or scalp pain. That is a reason to see a dermatologist.
Every number keeps its source.
6.3–82 mg/L según fuente; Bull Run 6.3–11 mg/L; agua subterránea 50–82 mg/L. Classified with the US Geological Survey bands (soft 0 to 60, moderately hard 61 to 120, hard 121 to 180, very hard above 180 mg/L). Period: 2025. Checked against the source on 2026-10-20. Rizzado did not measure this water.
The Portland Water Bureau report is public: Portland Water Bureau, 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report. Hardness can vary by area and season, and private wells or buildings with their own treatment can differ. If you want your exact value, ask the utility for your address.
Sources
- Portland Water Bureau, 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report
- Evans, A. O., Marsh, J. M., Wickett, R. R. (2011). The uptake of water hardness metals by human hair. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 62(4), 383-391.
- Luqman, M. W. et al. (2016). Effect of topical application of hard water in weakening of hair in men. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 66(9), 1132-1136.
- Luqman, M. W. et al. (2018). To evaluate and compare changes in baseline strength of hairs after treating them with deionized water and hard water. International Journal of Trichology, 10(3), 113-117.
- Srinivasan, G., Srinivas, C. R., Mathew, A. C., Duraiswami, D. (2013). Effects of hard water on hair. International Journal of Trichology.
- U.S. Geological Survey. Hardness of water.
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RIZZADO
Your water is one part of the picture.
Rizzado uses your city's water hardness, when there is a primary source, to adjust your routine. If your city is not here, it treats the value as unknown.
