Bloomington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.4 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
240.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.38
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 Bloomington, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Bloomington | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -42% |
| Washing Machine | 8.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -31% |
| Water Heater | 9.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -34% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Bloomington compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bloomington, Indiana | 143.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Bedford, Indiana | 279 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Plainfield, Indiana | 186.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Franklin, Indiana | 198 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Columbus, Indiana | 228 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Bloomington compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bloomington | 143.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Bloomington's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Bloomington, Indiana — home of Indiana University — in Monroe County, draws its municipal water supply from Lake Monroe (a Corps of Engineers impoundment on Salt Creek, a White River tributary in Monroe County) via the City of Bloomington Utilities Water Division, with the Dillman Road Water Treatment Plant treating Lake Monroe water for distribution. Lake Monroe is the largest lake in Indiana. Water hardness in Bloomington measures 143.5 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Bloomington's moderate hardness reflects the south-central Indiana geology of the Lake Monroe watershed. Salt Creek drains the Monroe County karst plateau — the heart of the famous Indiana Limestone belt (Mississippian Salem Limestone, the nationally significant dimension stone quarried in the Bedford–Bloomington area). The Salem Limestone, along with the Mitchell Formation (Mississippian oolitic limestone) and the Paoli Limestone of the South-Central Indiana plateau, forms extensive karst terrain: sinkholes, springs, and cave systems characteristic of the Bloomington–Bedford area. The Salt Creek watershed drainage interacts extensively with this Mississippian limestone karst, acquiring substantial dissolved calcium before entering Lake Monroe. Despite reservoir dilution, finished hardness remains moderately hard.
At 143.5 mg/L, Bloomington residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits after several months — monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is practical maintenance. Dishwashers produce cleaner glassware with rinse-aid, and water heaters benefit from annual inspection. City of Bloomington Utilities consistently delivers water meeting all Indiana DWE and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from Lake Monroe (Salt Creek, White River watershed) and Lake Lemon via the City of Bloomington Utilities Water Division — the South-central Indiana Monroe County watershed drains the Mississippian Salem Limestone and Mitchell Formation karst (Indiana Limestone belt) and the Pennsylvanian Mansfield Sandstone; moderately hard supply at 143.5 mg/L in Monroe County.