Huron Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
17.5 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
881.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.80
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 Huron, your appliances are currently losing 40% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Huron | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3 yrs | 12 yrs | -75% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Huron compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Huron, South Dakota | 299 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Mitchell, South Dakota | 118 mg/L | 1.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Aberdeen, South Dakota | 269.5 mg/L | 2.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Watertown, South Dakota | 163.5 mg/L | 2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Brookings, South Dakota | 353.5 mg/L | 3.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Huron compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Huron | 299 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Huron's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Huron, South Dakota, in Beadle County — the Beadle County seat adjacent to Brookings and Mitchell on the James River in east-central South Dakota — receives its water from the Huron Water System, drawing from the James River or local Dakota aquifer (Beadle County) through the east-central South Dakota distribution.
The extremely hard 299 mg/L hardness and TDS of 881.2 mg/L reflect the east-central South Dakota Beadle County supply's extreme calcareous-evaporite character — driven by the James River Basin's Cretaceous calcareous shale and Permian evaporite-bearing limestone dissolution typical of the South Dakota prairie communities, where high TDS from sulfate evaporite dissolution compounds the carbonate hardness. The James River-Dakota aquifer at Beadle County — Cretaceous Pierre Shale (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), Cretaceous Dakota Sandstone (slightly calcareous — dilutant), and Permian Minnekahta Limestone (calcareous — primary hardness and sulfate contributor).
At 299 mg/L with TDS 881, Huron's water is extremely hard. A water softener is essential to prevent severe scale damage. A reverse osmosis system is required for drinking water. The PFAS level of 3.0 ppt is relatively low — warrants routine monitoring but no urgent filtration.
Geology & Source: Huron in Beadle County draws from the Huron Water System on the James River (Beadle County, east-central South Dakota) — the James River at Beadle County drains the Prairie Coteau (Cretaceous Pierre Shale — slightly calcareous) over Permian Minnekahta Limestone (calcareous) — South Dakota Beadle County James River Cretaceous-Permian calcareous supply produces extremely hard water at 299 mg/L with TDS 881.2 mg/L.