Ypsilanti Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.5 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
149.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.25
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 Ypsilanti, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Ypsilanti | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -16% |
| Water Heater | 11.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Ypsilanti compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ypsilanti, Michigan | 93.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Ann Arbor, Michigan | 232 mg/L | 12.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Canton, Michigan | 138.5 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Romulus, Michigan | 236 mg/L | 13 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Westland, Michigan | 197 mg/L | 11 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Ypsilanti compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ypsilanti | 93.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Ypsilanti's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Ypsilanti, Michigan, in Washtenaw County — a Washtenaw County city adjacent to Ann Arbor, home of Eastern Michigan University, a historic industrial and college city connected to Ann Arbor by the Washtenaw-Ann Arbor corridor — receives its municipal water from the City of Ann Arbor Water Utility (through a water service agreement) or Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA), which draws from the Huron River at the Barton Pond impoundment in Ann Arbor, or from Belleville Lake (Lake Erie watershed — lower Huron River).
The moderately soft 93.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 149.2 mg/L are softer than the Lake Erie-based Detroit metro supplies (Lake Huron/Detroit GLWA: ~104 mg/L for Ferndale) — reflecting the Huron River's more siliceous and glacial till drainage character in Washtenaw County. The Huron River drains the Washtenaw County glaciated terrain — Pleistocene glacial till over Silurian Niagara Dolomite and Devonian carbonates, but with more sandy glacial outwash and morainic terrain than the Silurian-dominated western Ohio till plain, producing softer water. Ann Arbor's treatment also reduces some hardness.
At 93.5 mg/L, Ypsilanti's water is moderately soft — comfortable for household use. Scale forms slowly over months, soap lathers well, and appliances operate efficiently. Semi-annual descaling is adequate. The PFAS level of 5.7 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Willow Run Airport (former WWII bomber plant — Ford-GM Willow Run, Washtenaw County — significant PFAS industrial legacy), Selfridge ANG Base (Macomb County, Lake St. Clair), and the Washtenaw County auto-defense industrial corridor contribute to Ypsilanti's PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Ypsilanti in Washtenaw County draws from the Ann Arbor Water Utility or Ypsilanti Community Utilities treating the Huron River (Ann Arbor Barton Pond) or Belleville Lake — the Huron River drains the Michigan Lower Peninsula (Pleistocene glacial till over Silurian Niagara Dolomite) — Michigan carbonate platform and glacial till drainage produces moderately soft water at 93.5 mg/L with TDS 149 mg/L in this Washtenaw County Michigan city.