Auburn Hills Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
126.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.22
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 Auburn Hills, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Auburn Hills | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -19% |
| Washing Machine | 10.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -18% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Auburn Hills compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Auburn Hills, Michigan | 83 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Pontiac, Michigan | 146 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Rochester Hills, Michigan | 227.5 mg/L | 12.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Rochester, Michigan | 227.5 mg/L | 12.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Troy, Michigan | 232.5 mg/L | 12.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Auburn Hills compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Auburn Hills | 83 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Auburn Hills's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Auburn Hills, Michigan, in Oakland County north of Detroit — home to Stellantis (formerly FCA Chrysler) North American headquarters, Oakland University, and the Palace of Auburn Hills (former NBA arena) — receives its municipal water from the City of Auburn Hills Water Services or through purchase from the Oakland County Water Resources Commission, which draws from Lake Huron via the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) regional system. Oakland County's communities are served through the GLWA's extensive suburban Detroit distribution network.
The moderately soft 83 mg/L hardness and low TDS of 126.3 mg/L reflect the Lake Huron supply's naturally moderate character after treatment softening. Lake Huron receives carbonate tributary drainage from the Michigan Upper Peninsula and lower Michigan's Silurian Niagara Dolomite and Devonian carbonate platform — input that would naturally produce hard lake water. However, the Great Lakes Water Authority applies water softening treatment at its regional facilities, reducing the raw lake hardness (~140–180 mg/L) to the moderate finished hardness distributed to Oakland County. The low TDS (126.3 mg/L) confirms the softening treatment's effectiveness in this service zone.
At 83 mg/L, Auburn Hills' water is moderately soft — comfortable for everyday household use. Scale forms slowly over many months in kettles and appliances, soap lathers well, and the dishwasher produces clean results. Semi-annual to annual descaling of heating appliances is adequate. The PFAS level of 5.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Oakland County's automotive manufacturing complex (Chrysler/Stellantis, General Motors, and supplier plants), industrial parks along I-75 and M-59, and the broader Detroit metropolitan industrial corridor contribute to PFAS in the Lake Huron-supplied Oakland County water system.
Geology & Source: Auburn Hills in Oakland County is served by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) or the Oakland County Water Resources Commission drawing from Lake Huron — Lake Huron receives carbonate tributary drainage from the Michigan Silurian dolomite and Devonian limestone platform, contributing moderate carbonate loading — treatment softening and Lake Huron supply produces moderately soft finished water at 83 mg/L with low TDS 126 mg/L in this Oakland County automotive hub.