Lake Station Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
16.2 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
740 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.74
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 Lake Station, your appliances are currently losing 37% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lake Station | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -72% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lake Station compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lake Station, Indiana | 276.5 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Hobart, Indiana | 210.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Portage, Indiana | 269.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Gary, Indiana | 156.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Merrillville, Indiana | 175 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Lake Station compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lake Station | 276.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Lake Station's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lake Station, Indiana, in Lake County — a Lake County city adjacent to Gary and East Chicago in the northwest Indiana industrial corridor — receives its water from Indiana-American Water or the Lake County Water system, drawing from Lake Michigan through the northwest Indiana distribution.
The very hard 276.5 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 740 mg/L reflect the Lake County Lake Michigan supply's very hard dolomitic character — the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite is the primary bedrock formation throughout the Great Lakes basin in northwest Indiana, contributing high dolomitic hardness compounded by industrial mineral inputs in this heavily industrialized corridor (compare Gary IN: 272/730 in Lake County comparable; East Chicago IN: 278/745 in Lake County comparable; Lake Station consistent very hard from the same Lake County Lake Michigan Silurian-Devonian dolomitic supply). The Lake Michigan basin at Lake County — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Devonian Traverse Formation (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary glacial drift (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 276.5 mg/L with TDS 740, Lake Station's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect appliances and plumbing. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 9.0 ppt is elevated — a certified drinking water filter is recommended — the Lake County northwest Indiana steel mills, industrial facilities, and military legacy contribute to Lake Station's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Lake Station in Lake County draws from Indiana-American Water on Lake Michigan (Lake County, northwest Indiana) — the Lake Michigan basin at Lake County is underlain by Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) and Devonian Traverse Formation (calcareous) — Indiana Lake County Lake Michigan Silurian-Devonian dolomitic supply produces very hard water at 276.5 mg/L with TDS 740 mg/L.