Hardness
Very Hard
306 PPM · 17.9 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Eau Claire, MI 49111
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Berrien County.
1 reported benchmark flag
- Primary matched system
- Eau Claire
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Berrien 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
0.071 mg/L
473% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 610 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
306 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
306
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
17.9
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 306 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
37
Nearest site
10.4 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: Sarett NC Fen piezometer 1b-Berrien County, MI (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 49111 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Eau Claire median
306 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 306–306 PPM
Michigan median
283 PPM
23 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.
0 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.071 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2019
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 0.071
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 5
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | MI0002030 | Resolved | Nov 11, 2023through Nov 29, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | MI0002030 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Nov 14, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MI0002030 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2021through Dec 17, 2022 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MI0002030 | Resolved | Jan 11, 2021through Feb 4, 2021 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MI0002030 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2021through Dec 17, 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 Eau Claire ZIP 49111 using 306 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
306 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
Lead (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
Water questions for Eau Claire
Is tap water safe in Eau Claire?+
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 306 PPM, or 17.9 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 306 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.