Oak Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
416.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.49
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 Oak Park, your appliances are currently losing 25% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Oak Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -59% |
| Washing Machine | 6.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -44% |
| Water Heater | 8.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Oak Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oak Park, Michigan | 185.5 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Southfield, Michigan | 100.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Berkley, Michigan | 160.5 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Ferndale, Michigan | 104.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Royal Oak, Michigan | 84 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Oak Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oak Park | 185.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Oak Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Oak Park, Michigan, in Oakland County — a major south Oakland County suburban community (Oak Park is a significant Oakland County city — a south Oakland County inner suburb adjacent to Ferndale, Southfield, and Huntington Woods; Oak Park is notable as one of the most significantly Jewish-American communities in suburban Detroit — Oak Park has historically been one of the primary Jewish-American residential communities in metropolitan Detroit (particularly the Orthodox Jewish community), with a concentration of synagogues, Jewish day schools, and kosher businesses along the 10 Mile Road and Oak Park Boulevard corridors; Oak Park's Jewish community is one of the most significant in Michigan), a diverse Oakland County community with a significant Jewish-American, African-American, and working-class suburban population, adjacent to Berkley and Pleasant Ridge in the south Oakland County corridor, and a community with a strong community identity — draws its municipal water supply from Lake Huron via the Great Lakes Water Authority. Water hardness in Oak Park measures 185.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Oak Park's hard supply reflects the south Oakland County GLWA distribution zone's limited softening. The GLWA distributes Lake Huron supply to the south Oakland County Oak Park zone with limited softening, producing the hard 185.5 mg/L.
At 185.5 mg/L, Oak Park residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling and water softeners are recommended. Great Lakes Water Authority consistently delivers water meeting all Michigan EGLE and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from the Lake Huron (Detroit River) via the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) — the Oakland County south Oakland County suburban Oak Park corridor (Devonian calcareous-moderate Michigan Basin dolomite — the calcareous south Oakland County GLWA distribution to Oak Park zone; limited softening); hard supply at 185.5 mg/L in Oakland County.