Adrian Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.9 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
481.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.54
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 Adrian, your appliances are currently losing 27% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Adrian | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -66% |
| Washing Machine | 6.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -49% |
| Water Heater | 7.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -50% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Adrian compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Adrian, Michigan | 203 mg/L | 11.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Sylvania, Ohio | 142.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Ann Arbor, Michigan | 232 mg/L | 12.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Jackson, Michigan | 247.5 mg/L | 13.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Maumee, Ohio | 233.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Adrian compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Adrian | 203 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Adrian's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Adrian, Michigan, in Lenawee County — the Lenawee County seat in southeastern Michigan's River Raisin valley, the site of the Battle of the River Raisin (1813 — a significant War of 1812 engagement), home of Siena Heights University and Adrian College — receives its municipal water from the City of Adrian Water Department, which draws from the River Raisin at the Adrian Water Plant or from Lenawee County groundwater wells in the River Raisin basin.
The hard 203 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 481.3 mg/L reflect the River Raisin watershed's southern Michigan geology — consistent with the hard water characteristic of Michigan's Till Plain east of the lower Michigan carbonate platform. The River Raisin drains the Southern Michigan Till Plain — glaciated terrain underlain by the Silurian Niagara Group dolomite (the same Silurian Niagara Dolomite underlying hard water throughout the Great Lakes), the Devonian Detroit River Group (limestone and dolomite), and the Devonian Antrim Shale. The thick Pleistocene glacial till covering Lenawee County is rich in calcareous limestone and dolomite clasts from the same Michigan carbonate platform, producing the consistently hard water characteristic of the River Raisin watershed.
At 203 mg/L, Adrian's water is hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances within weeks, dishwashers require rinse aid or softener salt, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium encrustation. Monthly descaling of heating appliances is practical. A water softener is recommended. The PFAS level of 11.3 ppt is very high and warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Lenawee County industrial corridor, the Monroe Power Plant (coal ash and industrial discharge on the River Raisin near Lake Erie), and the broader southeastern Michigan automotive-industrial PFAS legacy contribute to Adrian's elevated PFAS reading.
Geology & Source: Adrian in Lenawee County draws from the City of Adrian Water treating the River Raisin or Lenawee County groundwater — the River Raisin drains the Southern Michigan Till Plain (Pleistocene glacial till over Silurian-Devonian limestone and Devonian shale) — Silurian carbonate and glacial till drainage produces hard water at 203 mg/L with elevated TDS 481 mg/L in this Lenawee County Michigan city.