Sturgis Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.9 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
307.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.41
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 Sturgis, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Sturgis | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -46% |
| Washing Machine | 8 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -37% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Sturgis compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sturgis, Michigan | 152.5 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Portage, Michigan | 151.5 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Coldwater, Michigan | 222.5 mg/L | 12.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Goshen, Indiana | 169 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Kalamazoo, Michigan | 104 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Sturgis compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sturgis | 152.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Sturgis's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Sturgis, Michigan, in Saint Joseph County — a Saint Joseph County city adjacent to Three Rivers and Centreville on the St. Joseph River in south-central Michigan — receives its water from the City of Sturgis Water Department, drawing from the St. Joseph River through the south-central Michigan distribution.
The hard 152.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 307.2 mg/L reflect the Saint Joseph County St. Joseph River supply's hard dolomitic character — the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite and Devonian Dundee Limestone are highly calcareous-dolomitic formations in the south-central Michigan Basin, and the St. Joseph River acquires substantial dissolved mineral content from its extensive dolomite drainage (compare Three Rivers MI: 149/299 in Saint Joseph County comparable; Centreville MI: 155/315 in Saint Joseph County comparable; Sturgis consistent hard from the same Saint Joseph County St. Joseph River Silurian dolomitic supply). The St. Joseph River — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Devonian Dundee Limestone (highly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary St. Joseph alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 152.5 mg/L with TDS 307, Sturgis' water is hard — scale builds in appliances. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.7 ppt is elevated — a certified drinking water filter with PFAS removal is recommended. Review the City of Sturgis' annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Sturgis in Saint Joseph County draws from the Sturgis Water on the St. Joseph River (Saint Joseph County, south-central Michigan) — the St. Joseph River drains Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) and Devonian Dundee Limestone (highly calcareous) — Michigan Saint Joseph County St. Joseph River Silurian dolomitic supply produces hard water at 152.5 mg/L with TDS 307.2 mg/L.