Hickory Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Hickory Public Utilities Department supplies drinking water to residents in Catawba County, primarily the city of Hickory and surrounding areas in western North Carolina. The sole source is surface water from Lake Hickory, a reservoir on the Catawba River impounded by the Lake Hickory Dam. Water is treated at the City of Hickory Water Treatment Plant, which employs conventional filtration processes including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination disinfection, ensuring full compliance with state and federal drinking water standards for the entire service area.

The watershed encompasses the Upper Catawba River basin (HUC 03050101), draining approximately 1,000 square miles of forested Piedmont terrain. Underlying geology consists of ancient metamorphic and igneous rocks — including gneisses, schists, and granitic intrusions of the Charlotte Belt — from the Precambrian to Paleozoic eras. With no major limestone or dolomite present, surface water picks up minimal calcium and magnesium ions as it flows through the reservoir, resulting in a naturally soft supply with very low dissolved solids.

Soft water minimizes scale buildup on fixtures and appliances, reducing maintenance needs for water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. Soap lathers easily and skin feels less dry after bathing. No water softener is required or recommended, as the low mineral content avoids common hard water issues like spotting on glassware or reduced pipe efficiency. The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report shows compliance with all EPA standards; turbidity is consistently below 0.3 NTU in 95% of samples, pH ranges 6.5–8.5, and iron is minimal at 0.01 mg/L. The system monitors for runoff-related pollutants due to proximity to US Hwy 321 and NC Hwy 127.