North Madison Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.9 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
220.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.36
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 North Madison, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In North Madison | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -40% |
| Washing Machine | 8.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -28% |
| Water Heater | 10.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -32% |
Regional Water Comparison
How North Madison compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Madison, Indiana | 136 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Seymour, Indiana | 280 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Saint Matthews, Kentucky | 161 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Shelbyville, Kentucky | 231 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Clarksville, Indiana | 215.5 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How North Madison compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ North Madison | 136 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes North Madison's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
North Madison, Indiana, in Jefferson County — a Jefferson County community adjacent to Madison and Hanover on the Ohio River in southeast Indiana — receives its water from the Indiana American Water, drawing from the Ohio River (Jefferson County) through the southeast Indiana distribution.
The hard 136 mg/L hardness and TDS of 220.3 mg/L reflect the southeast Indiana Jefferson County Ohio River supply's hard calcareous character — softer than the Ohio River communities downstream in Hamilton County OH (Loveland OH: 238.5/606) because the Ohio River at Madison draws from a different treatment zone with less accumulated calcareous contact (compare Conneaut OH: 148/359 comparable on the Lake Erie supply; North Madison softer from the upper Ohio at Jefferson County). The Ohio River at Jefferson County — Ordovician Cincinnatian Series limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (dolomitic — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Ohio River alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 136 mg/L with TDS 220, North Madison's water is 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 3.9 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Jefferson County southeast Indiana industrial corridor contribute to North Madison's readings.
Geology & Source: North Madison in Jefferson County draws from the Indiana American Water on the Ohio River (Jefferson County, southeast Indiana) — the Ohio River at Jefferson County drains the Appalachian Plateau (Ordovician Cincinnatian Series limestone — calcareous) and Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (dolomitic) — Indiana Jefferson County Ohio River Ordovician-Silurian calcareous supply produces hard water at 136 mg/L with TDS 220.3 mg/L.