Plymouth Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
697.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.71
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 Plymouth, your appliances are currently losing 36% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Plymouth | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -69% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Plymouth compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Plymouth, Indiana | 267.5 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| South Bend, Indiana | 206 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Mishawaka, Indiana | 186.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Granger, Indiana | 173 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Warsaw, Indiana | 126 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Plymouth compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Plymouth | 267.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Plymouth's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Plymouth, Indiana, in Marshall County — the Marshall County seat adjacent to Culver and Bourbon in north Indiana — receives its water from the City of Plymouth Water Department, drawing from the Yellow River through the north Indiana distribution.
The very hard 267.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 697.1 mg/L reflect the Marshall County supply's very hard north Indiana dolomitic limestone character — the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite and Quaternary Marshall County glacial till are highly dolomitic-calcareous formations in the north Indiana glacial plain; the Yellow River at Marshall County flows through some of the most dolomite-rich glacial terrain in Indiana, producing very hard water throughout the Marshall County area (compare Culver IN: 263/687 in Marshall County comparable; Bourbon IN: 271/707 in Marshall County comparable; Plymouth consistent very hard from the same Marshall County Yellow River Silurian dolomitic supply). The Yellow River watershed — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Quaternary Marshall County glacial till (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary north Indiana glaciofluvial deposit (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 267.5 mg/L with TDS 697, Plymouth's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The PFAS level of 8.7 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the City of Plymouth's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Plymouth in Marshall County draws from the Plymouth Water on the Yellow River supply (Marshall County, north Indiana) — the north Indiana glacial plain at Marshall County draws from Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) and Quaternary Marshall County glacial till (calcareous) — Indiana Marshall County Yellow River Silurian dolomitic supply produces very hard water at 267.5 mg/L with TDS 697.1 mg/L.