Water hardness in Fishers
23.5 gpg very hard
Tap water in Fishers is very hard: 23.5 gpg (403 mg/L · 22.5 °dH · 40.3 °fH).
Source: Citizens Energy Group 2025 Water Quality Data, Indianapolis and Morgan County (2025) · data checked 2026-10-23
Range across supply zones: 148–540 mg/L.
4 supply zones — hardness varies by neighbourhood; the figure above is the median.
Hardness by district / supply zone
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizens Water customers (Indianapolis system) | 18.5 | 317 | very hard |
| Indiana American Water: Allisonville Road WTP | 24.5 | 420 | very hard |
| Indiana American Water: Wayne Street WTP | 27.3 | 467 | very hard |
| Indiana American Water: White River North WTP | 22.5 | 385 | very hard |
Fishers is served by Citizens Energy Group, which treats White River and Fall Creek surface water, stored in Morse, Geist and Citizens reservoirs, and also runs groundwater plants. Surface and groundwater differ strongly, so the 4 zones range from 148 to 540 mg/L CaCO₃ with a median of 402.5 mg/L. Groundwater areas are very hard; ask the utility which source feeds your street.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 23.5 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Citizens Energy Group (Citizens Water, Indianapolis system IN5249004) |
How Fishers compares
- Tap water in Fishers is 160 % harder than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 54 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 96 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Indiana it is number 3 of 40 cities; the regional median is 20 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: Carmel, 9 km away (13.3 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Fishers
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H06 |
| Miele | 23 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 5 |
| Beko | 6th |
| Hoover | S3 |
| LG | H4 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Fishers water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 403 mg/L as CaCO₃ (23.5 gpg, 22.5 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Fishers safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Fishers water?
23.5 gpg, equal to 22.5 °dH, 40.3 °fH or 403 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Fishers?
For 403 mg/L (22.5 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Fishers?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Citizens Energy Group 2025 Water Quality Data, Indianapolis and Morgan County (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Citizens Energy Group 2025 Water Quality Data, Indianapolis and Morgan County · Outdated figure? Tell us