Hobart Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.3 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
459.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.56
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 Hobart, your appliances are currently losing 28% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hobart | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -68% |
| Washing Machine | 5.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -52% |
| Water Heater | 7.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -52% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hobart compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hobart, Indiana | 210.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Portage, Indiana | 269.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Merrillville, Indiana | 175 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Gary, Indiana | 156.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Crown Point, Indiana | 245 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Hobart compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hobart | 210.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Hobart's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hobart, Indiana, in Lake County — a major northwest Indiana Chicago suburban community (Hobart is a significant Lake County city — a northwest Indiana suburb in the south Lake County corridor south of Gary and east of Merrillville; Hobart is known for its Deep River County Park system (one of the most significant Lake County park and recreation areas — the Deep River corridor has historical importance as a site of early industrial mills and 19th century settlement in Lake County)), a diverse Lake County community with a primarily Polish-American, working-class, and suburban family population, home of the Hobart City Schools system (one of the consistently strong Lake County school districts), adjacent to Merrillville and Griffith in the south Lake County corridor, and a growing northwest Indiana Chicago suburban community — draws its municipal water supply from Lake Michigan via Indiana American Water. Water hardness in Hobart measures 210.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Hobart's hard supply reflects the northwest Indiana Lake County Lake Michigan distribution zone's limited softening. Indiana American Water distributes Lake Michigan supply to the south Lake County Hobart zone with limited softening, producing the hard 210.5 mg/L.
At 210.5 mg/L, Hobart residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling and water softeners are recommended. Indiana American Water consistently delivers water meeting all Indiana DEM and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from the Lake Michigan via the Indiana American Water Company (Lake County) — the Lake County northwest Indiana Chicago suburban Hobart corridor (Silurian calcareous Niagaran Dolomite — the extremely calcareous northwest Indiana Lake County Chicago suburban lake supply; limited softening); hard supply at 210.5 mg/L in Lake County.