Hardness
Hard
174 PPM · 10.2 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationA source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Franklin County.
At a glance
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Hardness
Hard
174 PPM · 10.2 GPG
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 883 people system-wide
Hardness meter
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
174 PPM
Parts per million
174
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
10.2
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 174 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
5
Nearest site
50.3 mi
Observation range
Jan 4, 2016–May 28, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: WABASH RIVER AT NEW HARMONY, IN (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Hanaford median
174 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 174–174 PPM
Illinois median
285 PPM
111 PPM lower1065 indexed ZIP readings · Range 115–408 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2024
Copper (CU90)
1.7 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2001
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.7
EPA limit 1.3
100% line = listed limit
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | IL0550250 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Matched to Hanaford ZIP 62856 using 174 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
174 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
Copper (90th percentile) 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
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 174 PPM, or 10.2 grains per gallon, classified as hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
At 174 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.