How does Hazel Park's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Hazel Park (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

Hazel Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

7.8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.004 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

252.3 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · est.

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 Hazel Park, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Hazel Park	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	4.7 yrs	8.5 yrs	-45%
Washing Machine	6.6 yrs	12 yrs	-45%
Water Heater	8.3 yrs	15 yrs	-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How Hazel Park compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Hazel Park, Michigan	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Madison Heights, Michigan	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Ferndale, Michigan	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	river
Royal Oak, Michigan	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river
Highland Park, Michigan	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Hazel Park compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Hazel Park	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 High
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Hazel Park's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 252.3 mg/LpH: 7.8

The City of Hazel Park Department of Public Works operates the water utility, serving around 16,400 residents with water sourced from purchased surface water, likely from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, which draws from the Detroit River and Lake Huron via the Lake Huron intake. Treatment occurs at regional facilities like the Springwells or Water Works Park plants before distribution through local infrastructure. The supply originates in the Detroit River-Lake Huron watershed, where surface waters interact with Paleozoic bedrock dominated by Devonian dolomites and limestones of the Detroit River Group.

The geology of Oakland County features Middle Devonian dolomitic limestones with karst-like features, which contribute to the water's hard character due to high concentrations of calcium and magnesium from carbonate rock weathering. The Detroit River Group dolomites and Devonian limestones are key factors in the water's hardness.

Homeowners in Hazel Park often deal with the consequences of very hard water, including significant scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. To combat this, regular descaling of appliances and vinegar rinses for bathrooms can help. A water softener is strongly recommended to mitigate these effects and extend equipment life. For those looking to take action, using a commercial softener for whole-house treatment can make a big difference in reducing soap scum on fixtures, spotted dishes, and dry skin or hair.

Geology & Source: Detroit River watershed; Paleozoic bedrock - Devonian limestone and dolomite; glacial deposits over carbonate-rich rocks

Other Michigan Water Reports

Madison Heights

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Ferndale

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Royal Oak

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Highland Park

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hazel Park's water safe to drink?

Yes. Hazel Park's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Hazel Park?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Hazel Park's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 45%.

How does Hazel Park compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Hazel Park (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Hazel Park is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.