Hardness
Moderately Hard
103.5 PPM · 6.1 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Gary, WV 24888
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Mcdowell County.
26 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Gary City Of
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Mcdowell County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
26 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0014 mg/L
10% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 1,633 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
103.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
103.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
6.1
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 103.5 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
66
Nearest site
3.7 mi
Observation range
Jul 6, 2016–Apr 22, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: Mcd-0219 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 24888 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Gary median
103 PPM
About the same4 indexed ZIP readings · Range 103–103.5 PPM
West Virginia median
141 PPM
37 PPM lower219 indexed ZIP readings · Range 85.5–265 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)
0.0014 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 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 0.0014
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 146
- Health-based
- 26
- Active health-based
- 26
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | WV3302420 | Archived | Mar 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | WV3302420 | Archived | Mar 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Groundwater Rule | WV3302420 | Archived | Feb 1, 2026through Feb 28, 2026 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | WV3302420 | Unaddressed | Jan 1, 2026 |
| Groundwater Rule | WV3302420 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Jan 31, 2026 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WV3302420 | Unaddressed | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Groundwater Rule | WV3302420 | Archived | Sep 1, 2025through Sep 30, 2025 |
| Groundwater Rule | WV3302420 | Archived | Aug 1, 2025through Aug 31, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | WV3302420 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302420 | Resolved | Feb 14, 2025through Dec 5, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302420 | Resolved | Feb 14, 2025through Dec 5, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302420 | Resolved | Feb 14, 2025through Dec 5, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302420 | Resolved | Feb 14, 2025through Dec 5, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302420 | Resolved | Feb 14, 2025through Dec 5, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302420 | Resolved | Feb 14, 2025through Dec 5, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302420 | Resolved | Feb 14, 2025through Dec 5, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302420 | Resolved | Feb 14, 2025through Dec 5, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302420 | Resolved | Feb 14, 2025through Dec 5, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302420 | Resolved | Feb 14, 2025through Dec 5, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302420 | Resolved | Feb 14, 2025through Dec 5, 2025 |
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 Gary ZIP 24888 using 103.5 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
No urgent match
Start with an independent water test
This profile does not trigger a treatment recommendation. Test at the tap before investing in equipment.
Affiliate 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 Gary
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Gary
Is tap water safe in Gary?+
EPA ECHO reports 26 active health-based violations 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 103.5 PPM, or 6.1 grains per gallon, classified as moderately hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.