Frankfort Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
254.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
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 Frankfort, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Frankfort | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 8.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Frankfort compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Frankfort, Indiana | 148.5 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Lebanon, Indiana | 125 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Lafayette, Indiana | 272 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Zionsville, Indiana | 128.5 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| West Lafayette, Indiana | 141 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Frankfort compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Frankfort | 148.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Frankfort's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Frankfort, Indiana, in Clinton County — the Clinton County seat adjacent to Frankfort Township and Michigantown on Wildcat Creek (Wabash tributary) in central Indiana — receives its municipal water from the Frankfort Water Division, drawing from Wildcat Creek (Clinton County) through the Frankfort treatment plant.
The moderately hard 148.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 254.6 mg/L reflect the central Indiana Wildcat Creek supply's moderate carbonate character — harder than the surface water-dominant Indianapolis supplies (Carmel: ~140 mg/L) due to the deeper Wildcat Creek groundwater-surface water mixing in the Clinton County drift aquifer. The Wildcat Creek at Clinton County drains the Indiana Till Plain — Silurian Niagara Dolomite (the dominant central Indiana carbonate platform — very high purity dolomite), Ordovician Trenton Limestone (calcareous), and calcareous Pleistocene Tipton Till (glacially ground dolomite and limestone). The Niagara Dolomite and Trenton Limestone contributions produce the moderately hard central Indiana supply.
At 148.5 mg/L, Frankfort's water is moderately 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 4.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Clinton County central Indiana agricultural and light-industrial corridor and the Indiana PFAS background contribute to Frankfort's readings.
Geology & Source: Frankfort in Clinton County draws from the Frankfort Water Division on Wildcat Creek (Clinton County, central Indiana) — Wildcat Creek drains the Indiana Till Plain (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, Ordovician Trenton Limestone, calcareous Pleistocene Tipton Till) — Indiana Clinton County Wildcat Creek Silurian-Ordovician carbonate watershed produces moderately hard water at 148.5 mg/L with TDS 254.6 mg/L in this Clinton County Indiana city.