Griffith Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
351.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.48
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 Griffith, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Griffith | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -56% |
| Washing Machine | 6.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -44% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Griffith compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Griffith, Indiana | 180 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Highland, Indiana | 206 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Schererville, Indiana | 181.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Saint John, Indiana | 158.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Hammond, Indiana | 187.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Griffith compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Griffith | 180 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Griffith's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Griffith, Indiana, in Lake County — a Lake County town adjacent to Highland and Munster in the northwest Indiana Chicago metro — receives its municipal water from Indiana American Water, drawing from Lake Michigan through the Hammond or East Chicago intake (Lake County) and the northwest Indiana treatment system.
The hard 180 mg/L hardness and TDS of 351.6 mg/L reflect the northwest Indiana Lake Michigan supply's strong Great Lakes carbonate character — consistent with other northwest Indiana Lake Michigan communities (Hammond: ~175 mg/L; Munster: ~178 mg/L). The Lake Michigan basin at Lake County is dominated by the Indiana-Wisconsin Till Plain drainage — Silurian Niagara Dolomite (very high purity — the dominant Great Lakes carbonate), Devonian Traverse Limestone (calcareous), and calcareous Pleistocene Lake Michigan Lobe till (glacially ground dolomite and limestone). The Silurian-Devonian carbonate Great Lakes basin produces the hard northwest Indiana supply.
At 180 mg/L, Griffith's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 5.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Lake County northwest Indiana steel industry corridor (Gary-Hammond PFAS legacy), and the Lake Michigan multi-state PFAS drainage contribute to Griffith's readings.
Geology & Source: Griffith in Lake County draws from Indiana American Water on Lake Michigan (Lake County, northwest Indiana) — Lake Michigan drains the Indiana-Wisconsin Till Plain (Silurian Niagara Dolomite, Devonian Traverse Limestone, calcareous Pleistocene Lake Michigan Lobe till) — Indiana Lake County Lake Michigan Great Lakes carbonate basin produces hard water at 180 mg/L with TDS 351.6 mg/L in this Lake County Indiana town.