Hardness
Very Hard
349.5 PPM · 20.4 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Lawrence, IN 46236
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Marion County.
2 reported benchmark flags
- Primary matched system
- City Of Lawrence Utilities
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Marion County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
7.6e-4 mg/L
5% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 49,000 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
349.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
349.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
20.4
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 349.5 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
38
Nearest site
11 mi
Observation range
Mar 30, 2016–Sep 10, 2025
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: NAWQA AG WELL TP5 NEAR INGALLS, IN (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 46236 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Lawrence median
350 PPM
About the same2 indexed ZIP readings · Range 349.5–349.5 PPM
Indiana median
313 PPM
37 PPM higher472 indexed ZIP readings · Range 132–371 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 pass2 fail
Lead (PB90)
7.6e-4 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2024
Copper (CU90)
1.4 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2017
Numerical coverage
3 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 7.6e-4
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.4
EPA limit 1.3
TTHM
Measured in UG/L
Local 87.7
EPA limit 0.08
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 7
- Health-based
- 5
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 87.7 UG/L · MCL 0.08 | IN5249005 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 91.1 UG/L · MCL 0.08 | IN5249005 | Archived | Oct 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 120 UG/L · MCL 0.08 | IN5249005 | Archived | Jul 1, 2025through Sep 30, 2025 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 88.5 UG/L · MCL 0.08 | IN5249005 | Archived | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | IN5249005 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2022through Feb 23, 2022 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | IN5249005 | Resolved | Aug 1, 2021through Aug 31, 2021 |
| Public Notice | IN5249005 | Resolved | Aug 1, 2021through Apr 27, 2022 |
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 Lawrence ZIP 46236 using 349.5 PPM nearby hardness and 3 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
349.5 PPM is 3× 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
Copper (90th percentile), TTHM have 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.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Lawrence
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Lawrence
Is tap water safe in Lawrence?+
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.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 349.5 PPM, or 20.4 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 349.5 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.