How does Port Huron's water compare to the national average?

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

Port Huron Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.004 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

501 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 Port Huron, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Port Huron	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 Port Huron compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Port Huron, Michigan	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
New Baltimore, Michigan	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Mount Clemens, Michigan	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Clinton Township, Michigan	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Saint Clair Shores, Michigan	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Port Huron compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Port Huron	≈ 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 Port Huron's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 501 mg/LpH: 8

The City of Port Huron Water Plant, operated by the City of Port Huron, serves approximately 34,415 residents in St. Clair County, Michigan, primarily within the city limits at 100 McMorran Blvd. Water is sourced exclusively from the St. Clair River, a surface water intake dating back to 1873. Treatment occurs at the Port Huron Water Purification Plant, with contact available at 810-984-9763. The utility provides drinking water meeting federal and state standards, as detailed in annual Consumer Confidence Reports available upon request.

The St. Clair River watershed spans the international boundary between Michigan and Ontario, draining a vast portion of the upper Great Lakes system with inflows from Lake Huron. Underlying geology features Paleozoic sedimentary rocks of the Michigan Basin, including Devonian-age carbonate formations — Dundee Limestone and Bell Shale — that weather to release calcium and magnesium ions into the water. This hard supply reflects the influence of limestone dissolution in the basin, with glacial history adding minor sediment loads but not softening the mineral profile significantly.

Very hard water in Port Huron promotes heavy scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Kettles and faucets show white deposits quickly, while skin and hair may feel dry after washing. Regular deliming of appliances, vinegar soaks, and installation of a water softener is recommended for this very hard supply to prevent spotting on glassware and extend equipment life. Water quality tests indicate compliance with federal and state requirements; treatment includes coagulation, filtration, disinfection, and likely fluoridation. Full reports are available from the plant.

Geology & Source: St. Clair River surface water — Lake Huron watershed; Michigan Basin Devonian limestones, dolomites, and shales (Dundee Limestone, Bell Shale) — carbonate dissolution yields hard water with glacial deposits providing minimal softening

Other Michigan Water Reports

New Baltimore

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Mount Clemens

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Clinton Township

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Saint Clair Shores

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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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 Port Huron's water safe to drink?

Yes. Port Huron'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 Port Huron?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Port Huron'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 Port Huron compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Port Huron (≈ 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 Port Huron 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.