Hardness
Very Hard
374.5 PPM · 21.9 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in East Lansing, MI 48823
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Ingham County.
No active health-based violation reported
- Primary matched system
- East Lansing, City Of
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Ingham 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 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 33,000 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
374.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
374.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
21.9
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 374.5 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
90
Nearest site
6.3 mi
Observation range
Jun 28, 2016–Oct 11, 2023
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 03N 02W 01DA01 INGHAM CO (DELHI 4) (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 48823 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
East Lansing median
375 PPM
About the same3 indexed ZIP readings · Range 374.5–374.5 PPM
Michigan median
283 PPM
92 PPM higher504 indexed ZIP readings · Range 41.3–459.5 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 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
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 2
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | MI0001990 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Aug 29, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MI0001990 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Jul 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
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to East Lansing ZIP 48823 using 374.5 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
374.5 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 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.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in East Lansing
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for East Lansing
Is tap water safe in East Lansing?+
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 374.5 PPM, or 21.9 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 374.5 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.