New Baltimore Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of New Baltimore Municipal Water Company supplies water to about 9,000 residents along the western shore of Lake St. Clair in Macomb County, Michigan. All of the city's water comes from Lake St. Clair through a single intake. The Water Treatment Plant, operated by the Department of Public Works, handles the purification process. This plant is the sole facility for treating the water, with no backup reservoirs or groundwater wells supplementing the supply. The Lake St. Clair watershed, a key part of the St. Clair-Detroit River system in the Great Lakes Basin, is the origin of the water.

The bedrock beneath New Baltimore consists of Devonian-age limestone and dolomite formations belonging to the Michigan Basin. These ancient carbonate rocks are covered by more recent Quaternary glacial sediments, such as clay-rich tills and sandy outwash deposits. As water flows over and through these mineral-rich rocks, it dissolves calcium and magnesium ions, which naturally makes the water supply quite hard. Runoff from surrounding agricultural and urban areas also carries additional minerals into the lake, and its shallow nature allows these dissolved solids to accumulate.

Dealing with such hard water means you'll likely notice significant scale buildup within your plumbing, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. This buildup can reduce the efficiency and shorten the lifespan of these appliances, often necessitating descaling every year or two. You might find faucet aerators and showerheads clogging up quickly, leading to reduced water pressure. Soap also won't lather easily, potentially leaving a film on your skin and clothes. For residents experiencing these issues, installing a whole-house water softener is highly recommended. Regular appliance maintenance, like vinegar rinses, can also help manage scale.