Is Michigan tap water hard or soft?
Mostly not. 25 % of the 28 cities with published data in Michigan have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L). The median is 6.2 gpg, from 5.5 gpg in Melvindale to 9.8 gpg in Cadillac.
We have published hardness data for 28 cities in Michigan. The median is 6.2 gpg; the hardest water is in Cadillac (9.8 gpg), the softest in Melvindale (5.5 gpg).
25 % of these cities have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L).
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Cities in Michigan, hardest first
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac | 9.8 | 167 | hard |
| Owosso | 9.7 | 166 | hard |
| Wyoming | 8.8 | 151 | hard |
| Kentwood | 8.7 | 149 | hard |
| East Grand Rapids | 8.3 | 142 | hard |
| Grand Rapids | 8.3 | 142 | hard |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 7.4 | 126 | hard |
| Alpena | 6.9 | 118 | moderately hard |
| Ypsilanti | 6.9 | 118 | moderately hard |
| Fenton | 6.7 | 115 | moderately hard |
| Ferndale | 6.6 | 113 | moderately hard |
| East Lansing | 6.6 | 113 | moderately hard |
| Hamtramck | 6.3 | 108 | moderately hard |
| Detroit | 6.3 | 107 | moderately hard |
| Berkley | 6.1 | 105 | moderately hard |
| Clawson | 6.1 | 105 | moderately hard |
| Southfield | 6.1 | 105 | moderately hard |
| Warren | 6.1 | 105 | moderately hard |
| Inkster | 6 | 102 | moderately hard |
| Taylor | 6 | 102 | moderately hard |
| Dearborn | 5.9 | 102 | moderately hard |
| Livonia | 5.9 | 101 | moderately hard |
| Lansing, MI | 5.8 | 100 | moderately hard |
| Flint | 5.8 | 99 | moderately hard |
| Pontiac | 5.8 | 99 | moderately hard |
| Royal Oak | 5.8 | 99 | moderately hard |
| Grandville | 5.7 | 97 | moderately hard |
| Melvindale | 5.5 | 94 | moderately hard |
FAQ
Is Michigan water hard or soft?
Mostly not. 25 % of the 28 cities we cover have hard or very hard water; the median is 6.2 gpg.
Which city in Michigan has the hardest water?
Cadillac, at 9.8 gpg, has the hardest water of the 28 cities with published data.
Which city in Michigan has the softest water?
Melvindale, at 5.5 gpg, has the softest water of the 28 cities with published data.
Do I need a water softener in Michigan?
Above about 120 mg/L (7 gpg) scale builds up in water heaters, kettles and dishwashers, and a softener or at least regular descaling pays off. Look up your own city in the table: in Michigan the values range from 5.5 gpg to 9.8 gpg.
On a private well? Well water hardness in Michigan by county →