Hardness
Hard
132 PPM · 7.7 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Plummer, ID 83851
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Benewah County.
2 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Plummer City Of
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Benewah County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
2 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.001 mg/L
7% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 1,034 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
132 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
132
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
7.7
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 132 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
19
Nearest site
15.8 mi
Observation range
Jul 26, 2016–Aug 7, 2024
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 18N/46E-06B01D1 SU04 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 83851 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Plummer median
132 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 132–132 PPM
Idaho median
168 PPM
36 PPM lower78 indexed ZIP readings · Range 22.2–339 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass
Lead (PB90)
0.001 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.001
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 6
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 2
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | ID1050021 | Unaddressed | Jan 10, 2026 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | ID1050021 | Unaddressed | Jan 10, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | ID1050021 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2023through Nov 30, 2023 |
| Chlorine | ID1050021 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | ID1050021 | Resolved | Jun 1, 2021through Jun 30, 2021 |
| Pentachlorophenol | ID1050021 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2021through Jun 30, 2021 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Plummer ZIP 83851 using 132 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
132 PPM is 1× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsDrinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Groundwater Rule has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Plummer
Is tap water safe in Plummer?+
EPA ECHO reports 2 active health-based violations among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 132 PPM, or 7.7 grains per gallon, classified as hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 132 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.