Midland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
496.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.55
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 Midland, your appliances are currently losing 28% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Midland | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -67% |
| Washing Machine | 5.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -51% |
| Water Heater | 7.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -51% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Midland compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Midland, Michigan | 207 mg/L | 11.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Saginaw Township North, Michigan | 193 mg/L | 10.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Saginaw, Michigan | 96 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Bay City, Michigan | 123.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Mount Pleasant, Michigan | 88.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Midland compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Midland | 207 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Midland's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Midland, Michigan, the Midland County seat — the global headquarters of the Dow Chemical Company (one of the world's largest chemical companies, founded by Herbert Dow in 1897 in Midland for the electrolytic extraction of bromine from the calcareous Michigan brine wells), home of the Dow Diamond (home stadium of the Great Lakes Loons baseball team), the Tridge (a three-way pedestrian bridge at the confluence of the Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers), and a major Michigan chemical and specialty manufacturing community — draws its municipal water supply from the Tittabawassee River via the City of Midland Water Division. Water hardness in Midland measures 207 mg/L — classified as hard.
Midland's hard supply reflects the Michigan calcareous dolomite and limestone geology that made it the birthplace of the Dow Chemical Company. The Tittabawassee River drains through: the Devonian Traverse Group and Dundee Formation (highly calcareous marine limestone of the Michigan Basin, the formations that produced the calcareous brine wells Herbert Dow electrolyzed); the Mississippian Marshall Sandstone and Coldwater Shale (calcareous Mississippian formations of the Michigan Basin); and Wisconsin Age Lake Michigan Lobe calcareous till (calcareous glacial till from the calcareous Michigan dolomite terrain). The calcareous Michigan Basin geology produces the hard 207 mg/L at Midland.
At 207 mg/L, Midland residents face regular hard water challenges. Scale deposits form on faucet aerators, showerheads, and appliances within weeks — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is standard maintenance. City of Midland Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Michigan DEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Tittabawassee River (Midland City Water Filtration Plant) via the City of Midland Water Division — the Midland County central Michigan Saginaw Bay watershed (Devonian and Mississippian calcareous limestone and dolomite of Michigan and Wisconsin Age calcareous Lake Michigan Lobe till); hard supply at 207 mg/L in Midland County.