Hardness
Very Hard
373 PPM · 21.8 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Homer, MI 49245
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Calhoun County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Homer
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Calhoun County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
Not reported
Check the utility CCR or tap test
Utility match
1 system
Serves 1,668 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
373 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
373
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
21.8
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 373 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
77
Nearest site
18.5 mi
Observation range
Jun 20, 2016–Oct 11, 2023
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: Grand River Fen piezometer 3a-Jackson County, MI (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 49245 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Homer median
373 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 373–373 PPM
Michigan median
283 PPM
90 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.
Lead (PB90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
0 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
No comparable measured values reported
Federal SDWIS data does not contain a numerical result and matching benchmark for this profile. Review the compliance history and the utility's Consumer Confidence Report instead.
2026Q2
- All records
- 8
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | MI0003220 | Unaddressed | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Public Notice | MI0003220 | Unaddressed | Nov 5, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MI0003220 | Resolved | Oct 11, 2025through Oct 27, 2025 |
| Public Notice | MI0003220 | Unaddressed | Jan 9, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | MI0003220 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | MI0003220 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | MI0003220 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2025 |
| Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts RuleHealth-based | MI0003220 | Resolved | Sep 12, 2022through Oct 3, 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 Homer ZIP 49245 using 373 PPM nearby hardness and 0 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
373 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 AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS 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 Homer
Is tap water safe in Homer?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 373 PPM, or 21.8 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 373 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.