Madison Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

8.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

194.9 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · 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 Madison Heights, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Madison Heights	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Madison Heights compares to its nearest neighbours

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

National Benchmark

How Madison Heights compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Madison Heights	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Madison Heights's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 194.9 mg/LpH: 8.3

Madison Heights Department of Public Works operates the water utility serving approximately 29,694 residents in Madison Heights, Oakland County, Michigan. The supply is purchased surface water from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), sourced primarily from the Detroit River and Lake Huron. Water undergoes conventional treatment — coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination — at GLWA facilities before distribution. The utility can be reached at 248-589-2294 or 801 Ajax Drive, Madison Heights, MI 48071.

The watershed encompasses the Detroit River connecting Lake Huron and Lake Erie within the broader Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin. Paleozoic carbonate rock formations, notably Devonian limestones and dolomites of the Michigan Basin, leach calcium and magnesium into the surface waters. Glacial till from Pleistocene epochs adds subtle buffering, but the dominant influence is limestone dissolution, imparting the moderately mineralised character typical of this region.

At moderately hard levels, scale buildup occurs noticeably in dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters, reducing efficiency and increasing energy costs over time. Faucet aerators and showerheads may clog, reducing flow. Regular vinegar descaling and annual appliance checks help mitigate issues; a water softener is recommended for households experiencing spotting on dishes, dry skin, or soap scum. The 2024 Annual Consumer Confidence Report confirms compliance with EPA standards; water from GLWA contains no lead at delivery, with ongoing lead service replacements and lead-free meters in use. Residents should review the latest CCR for current contaminant data.

Geology & Source: Detroit River and Lake Huron watershed via Great Lakes Water Authority; Devonian limestone and dolomite of the Michigan Basin leach calcium and magnesium carbonates — glacial Pleistocene till adds minor buffering; carbonate bedrock dissolution is

Other Michigan Water Reports

Hazel Park

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Ferndale

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Royal Oak

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Clawson

≈ 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 Madison Heights's water safe to drink?

Yes. Madison Heights's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Madison Heights?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Madison Heights'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 20%.

How does Madison Heights compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Madison Heights (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Madison Heights 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.