Hardness
Very Hard
282 PPM · 16.5 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Notre Dame, IN 46556
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for St. Joseph County.
No active health-based violation reported
- Primary matched system
- University Of Notre Dame
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- St. Joseph 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
0.003 mg/L
20% of action level
Utility match
2 systems
Serves 7,400 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
282 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
282
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
16.5
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 282 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
42
Nearest site
22.3 mi
Observation range
Aug 3, 2020–May 13, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: Shavehead Lake Fen piezometer 1b - Cass County, MI (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 46556 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Notre Dame median
282 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 282–282 PPM
Indiana median
313 PPM
31 PPM lower472 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 pass
Lead (PB90)
0.003 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2026
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 0.003
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 4
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | IN5271025 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Oct 29, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | IN5271020 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2023through Jan 25, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | IN5271020 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Mar 20, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | IN5271020 | Resolved | May 1, 2022through May 31, 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 Notre Dame ZIP 46556 using 282 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
282 PPM is 2× 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 systemsAffiliate 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 Notre Dame
Is tap water safe in Notre Dame?+
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 282 PPM, or 16.5 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 282 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.