Lake Huron / Detroit Water System

Great Lake · Midwest

Serves 15 cities in our database · ~1,742,216 residents

159
Avg Hardness (PPM)
0.9
Avg PFAS (ppt)
3.8
Avg Lead (ppb)
15
Cities Served
Soft
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
159 PPM Hard
CONTAMINANT LEVELS Hardness 159 PPM TDS 231 PPM PFAS 0.9 ppt Lead 3.8 ppb Chlorine 0.9 mg/L Nitrate 0.5 mg/L

About Lake Huron / Detroit Water System

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department operates one of the largest water systems in the US, serving over 3 million people across southeast Michigan from Lake Huron.

Geography & Hydrology

The system draws from Lake Huron at Port Huron and the Detroit River. Five water treatment plants process up to 1.7 billion gallons per day. The service area extends far beyond Detroit to include over 125 suburban communities.

How Lake Huron / Detroit Water System Water Is Treated

Conventional treatment with coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, ozone, and chloramine. The system has undergone extensive upgrades since the 2014 Flint water crisis highlighted the importance of corrosion control.

Across the 15 cities we track, water from Lake Huron / Detroit Water System averages 159 PPM hardness (Hard), ranging from 126 to 280 PPM. This is moderately hard - many homeowners notice scale buildup on fixtures over time.

Current Challenges

Aging infrastructure across the massive distribution system, legacy lead service lines in older neighborhoods, PFAS contamination from industrial sources, and affordability concerns for low-income residents.

Cities Supplied by Lake Huron / Detroit Water System

Water quality varies by city due to local treatment, distribution infrastructure, and source blending.

Detroit, MI

130 PPM · Hard 633,218 residents

Warren, MI

145 PPM · Hard 134,056 residents

Sterling Heights, MI

154 PPM · Hard 127,000 residents

Dearborn, MI

126 PPM · Hard 109,976 residents

Canton, MI

156 PPM · Hard 99,627 residents

Livonia, MI

145 PPM · Hard 96,942 residents

Troy, MI

168 PPM · Hard 85,854 residents

Flint, MI

132 PPM · Hard 81,252 residents

Rochester Hills, MI

160 PPM · Hard 74,000 residents

Southfield, MI

148 PPM · Hard 71,739 residents

Farmington Hills, MI

152 PPM · Hard 56,823 residents

Novi, MI

148 PPM · Hard 56,780 residents

West Bloomfield, MI

155 PPM · Hard 49,479 residents

Saginaw, MI

180 PPM · Very Hard 44,058 residents

Auburn Hills, MI

280 PPM · Extremely Hard 21,412 residents

Recommended for Lake Huron / Detroit Water System Water

Based on average water quality across 15 cities supplied by Lake Huron / Detroit Water System.

Salt-Free Conditioner SpringWell FutureSoft ~$1,549 Test Your Tap Home Water Test Kit ~$30

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission on purchases. Recommendations based on water quality data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lake Huron / Detroit Water System water safe to drink?
Water from Lake Huron / Detroit Water System meets EPA safety standards in all served cities. Contaminant levels are within legal limits, though additional filtration can improve quality beyond legal minimums.
Why is Lake Huron / Detroit Water System water moderately hard?
Lake Huron / Detroit Water System water picks up dissolved calcium and magnesium from the geological formations along its path. At 159 PPM average, this makes it hard.
How many people drink Lake Huron / Detroit Water System water?
Lake Huron / Detroit Water System supplies drinking water to 15 cities in our database, serving approximately 1,742,216 residents. The largest cities include Detroit, MI; Warren, MI; Sterling Heights, MI.
Do I need a water filter for Lake Huron / Detroit Water System water?
It depends on your priorities. Lake Huron / Detroit Water System water is relatively clean, but a point-of-use filter can reduce chlorine taste and provide additional contaminant protection.