How does Highland's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Highland (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

Highland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

8.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

442.2 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · est.

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 Highland, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Highland	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	4.7 yrs	8.5 yrs	-45%
Washing Machine	6.6 yrs	12 yrs	-45%
Water Heater	8.3 yrs	15 yrs	-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How Highland compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Highland, Indiana	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Griffith, Indiana	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Hammond, Indiana	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Munster, Indiana	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Schererville, Indiana	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Highland compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Highland	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 High
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

Bring Scarsdale-quality water to your Highland home

Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →

Shop Now

What Makes Highland's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 442.2 mg/LpH: 8.3

Highland Water Works serves the town of Highland in Lake County, Indiana, providing water to approximately 23,546 residents. The utility's primary water source is Lake Michigan, obtained through a wholesale supply agreement with the City of Hammond. Water is treated at Hammond's treatment facilities before being distributed throughout Highland's service area. The utility maintains a modern distribution system and provides 24/7 emergency service coordination through the Highland Police Department. Recent Consumer Confidence Reports from 2022 and 2024 document the utility's water quality performance and compliance with EPA standards.

The Highland area sits within the Lake Michigan watershed, a region shaped by Pleistocene glaciation. Underlying geology consists of Quaternary glacial deposits overlying Silurian and Ordovician carbonate bedrock, including dolomite and limestone. These carbonate formations are highly soluble, and groundwater moving through them dissolves substantial quantities of calcium and magnesium minerals. Even surface water from Lake Michigan, which passes through glacial sediments rich in carbonate minerals, carries elevated mineral content. This geological setting produces a very hard water supply characteristic of the Midwest and Great Lakes region.

Very hard water causes noticeable scale buildup on fixtures, reduced soap effectiveness, and accelerated wear on water heaters and appliances. Dishwashers, washing machines, and hot water systems are particularly affected by mineral deposits. Residents typically benefit from installing a water softener to extend appliance lifespan, improve cleaning performance, and reduce maintenance costs. Regular descaling of showerheads and faucet aerators is recommended, and vinegar soaking can dissolve mineral buildup effectively. The utility meets all EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, with copper and lead levels well below EPA action levels (copper <1.3 ppm, lead <15.0 ppb), and uses chlorine as its primary disinfectant.

Geology & Source: Lake Michigan supply via Hammond wholesale; glacial Quaternary deposits overlie Silurian and Ordovician dolomite and limestone — carbonate formations dissolve readily, contributing high calcium and magnesium; very hard water typical of the Midwest

Other Indiana Water Reports

Griffith

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Hammond

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Munster

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Schererville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Highland's water safe to drink?

Yes. Highland's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Highland?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Highland's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 45%.

How does Highland compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Highland (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Highland is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.