Auburn Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
223.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.37
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
0–60
mg/L
Soft
61–120
mg/L
Moderately Hard
121–180
mg/L
Hard
180+
mg/L
Very Hard
Appliance Damage Report
In Auburn, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Auburn | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -40% |
| Washing Machine | 8.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -29% |
| Water Heater | 10.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -33% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Auburn compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Auburn, Indiana | 137 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Fort Wayne, Indiana | 145.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| New Haven, Indiana | 213.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Huntington, Indiana | 226 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Defiance, Ohio | 236.5 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Auburn compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Auburn | 137 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Auburn's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Auburn, Indiana, in DeKalb County — the DeKalb County seat adjacent to Fort Wayne and Angola on Cedar Creek in northeast Indiana — receives its water from the Auburn Water Utility, drawing from Cedar Creek (DeKalb County) through the northeast Indiana distribution.
The hard 137 mg/L hardness and TDS of 223.4 mg/L reflect the northeast Indiana DeKalb County Cedar Creek supply's hard dolomitic character — the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite and Devonian Traverse Formation contribute significant dolomitic hardness typical of the northeast Indiana Till Plains communities (compare Connersville IN: 231 mg/L; Auburn somewhat softer from the Cedar Creek upper watershed dilution). The Cedar Creek at DeKalb County — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Devonian Traverse Formation (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary glacial outwash (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 137 mg/L, Auburn's water is hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the DeKalb County northeast Indiana industrial corridor contribute to Auburn's readings.
Geology & Source: Auburn in DeKalb County draws from the Auburn Water Utility on Cedar Creek (DeKalb County, northeast Indiana) — the Cedar Creek watershed at DeKalb County drains the Till Plains (Silurian Niagaran Dolomite — dolomitic) and Devonian Traverse Formation (calcareous) — Indiana DeKalb County Cedar Creek Silurian-Devonian dolomitic supply produces hard water at 137 mg/L with TDS 223.4 mg/L.