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City water profile

Houghton Lake water quality

Compare local ZIP estimates, evidence quality, associated public systems, and compliance history for Houghton Lake, Michigan.

Median indexed hardness

194PPM

2 indexed ZIPs

Range 194–194 PPM

State comparison
89 PPM below
State hardness rank
#287 of 374
Matched utilities
4
Active health records
0

City summary

What the indexed records say

Houghton Lake has 2 published ZIP profiles across Roscommon County. The indexed median is 194 PPM, compared with 283 PPM across Michigan.

Among the 374 Michigancities with an indexed median, Houghton Lake ranks #287from highest to lowest. Across all 512 state ZIP profiles, available estimates run from 41.3to 459.5 PPM.

The 194–194 PPM range shows how much the available ZIP estimates vary within the city label. At least one estimate is marked low confidence, so observation distance and date deserve extra attention.

Hardness distribution

How local ZIP estimates compare

Soft0 ZIPs
Moderately hard0 ZIPs
Hard0 ZIPs
Very hard2 ZIPs

2 of 2 ZIP profiles have a hardness estimate. Bars count ZIP profiles, not households or laboratory samples.

Evidence quality

Distance, dates, and confidence

Median nearest distance
33.7 miles
Profiles with evidence
2/2

Confidence labels

High: 0Moderate: 0Low: 2

Observation window: Sep 13, 2023 to Sep 14, 2023.

ZIP directory

Water reports in Houghton Lake

Open a ZIP for site-level provenance and measurements.

ZIP code

48629

Very Hard

194 PPM

Nearest site
32.7 mi
Confidence
Low

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

48630

Very Hard

194 PPM

Nearest site
33.7 mi
Confidence
Low

View full ZIP evidence →

Public water systems

Utilities associated with this city

Sandhill Manor

PWSID MI0005905

Groundwater
System population served
148
Last reported
Jun 23, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Deerfield Villa

PWSID MI0001768

Groundwater
System population served
72
Last reported
Jun 23, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Houghton Heights Manor

PWSID MI0003237

Groundwater
System population served
50
Last reported
Jun 23, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

White Deer Village

PWSID MI0007062

Groundwater
System population served
20
Last reported
Jun 23, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Compliance history

What EPA records show

No active health-based violation appears among the associated systems in the represented EPA reporting quarter. This does not mean every contaminant was tested at every tap.

RecordSystemPeriodStatus
ArsenicMI0005905Jan 1, 2026Archived · health-based
ChlorineMI0005905Oct 1, 2025Archived
ChlorineMI0005905Sep 1, 2025Archived
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts RuleMI0005905Sep 1, 2025Resolved · health-based
ArsenicMI0001768Jan 1, 2023Resolved
Revised Total Coliform RuleMI0005905Jul 11, 2022Resolved
Revised Total Coliform RuleMI0001768Jul 11, 2022Resolved
Revised Total Coliform RuleMI0007062Jul 11, 2022Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleMI0003237Jul 1, 2022Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleMI0003237Jul 1, 2021Resolved

Practical next steps

Move from index to evidence

  1. 1. Open your ZIP. Check distance, dates, confidence, and the associated utility.
  2. 2. Read the current CCR. Confirm source water, detections, limits, ranges, and notices.
  3. 3. Test the tap when needed. Confirm health concerns or treatment sizing with the right method.

Questions people ask

About water in Houghton Lake

Is the water hard?

The indexed city median is 194 PPM. Open the ZIP report to verify the distance and confidence behind that estimate.

Is the tap water safe?

Compliance history is utility-wide and cannot guarantee conditions at every tap. Check current notices and test when address-specific evidence is needed.

Do I need treatment?

Choose treatment only after confirming the problem at the property. A softener targets hardness; contaminant treatment requires a matching, verified performance claim.