Waterford, MI’s Home for
Water Softeners, Water Filters,
& Water Delivery

Waterford’s township water is very hard. The most recent water quality report puts the average at 21.6 grains per gallon, which works out to roughly 369 ppm. Water that hard leaves white crust on faucets and showerheads, spots on dishes, and scale inside water heaters, dishwashers, and boilers. The DPW recommends setting a water softener at 18 to 20 grains as a starting point.

Iron is naturally present in the groundwater under Waterford, which is why each of the township’s 10 treatment plant sites uses iron filtration before the water enters the mains. The water quality report doesn’t publish an iron number for the finished water. If you see orange or rust-colored staining in sinks, tubs, or laundry, especially on a private well, a water test can show how much iron is reaching your tap.

Yes. The DPW’s most recent water quality report states there were no contaminant violations, and the detected contaminants, from arsenic and PFAS to disinfection byproducts and naturally occurring radium and uranium, all came in below their limits. Total coliform and E. coli were not detected. Chlorine is kept at a running annual average of 0.35 ppm, well under the 4 ppm maximum.

Unlike many Oakland County communities that buy water from the Great Lakes Water Authority, Waterford Township runs its own system. The township is known for its inland lakes, from Williams Lake and Elizabeth Lake to the Pontiac Lake area, and is home to Drayton Plains and Oakland County International Airport, but its tap water comes from underground: the DPW pumps groundwater from 19 wells at 11 sites. Homes that aren’t connected to the township system rely on private wells, where hardness and iron are common and no utility tests the water for you.

At each of its 10 plant sites, the DPW filters out iron, disinfects the water with chlorine, and adds orthophosphate to help control corrosion in pipes and household plumbing. Disinfection byproducts are low: total trihalomethanes were detected at 20.6 ppb (limit 80 ppb) and HAA5 at 6.5 ppb (limit 60 ppb). The township does not soften the water, so the hardness arrives at your tap.

The township’s service line inventory lists 25,027 lines with none known to be lead; the last known lead service line was replaced in December 2024. In the most recent round of lead sampling, the 90th percentile result was 1 ppb, and none of the 45 homes sampled were above Michigan’s 12 ppb action level. Copper’s 90th percentile was 1.0 ppm against the 1.3 ppm action level, with 1 of the 45 sites above it. Because copper and lead can come from a home’s own plumbing, an in-home test is a good check.

Low levels of two PFAS compounds were detected, both well below Michigan’s limits. PFHxS averaged 2.07 parts per trillion (Michigan limit 51 ppt) and PFBS averaged 1.25 ppt (limit 420 ppt). PFOA and PFOS, the most widely studied PFAS compounds, were not detected. Homeowners who want added peace of mind can reduce PFAS at the kitchen tap with a certified reverse osmosis system.

Arsenic occurs naturally in some Michigan groundwater, and Waterford’s wells are no exception. The most recent water quality report shows a running annual average of 3.44 ppb, with individual results from non-detect up to 8.0 ppb, below the 10 ppb maximum contaminant level. Private well owners nearby should test for arsenic, since no utility monitors it for them.

No. The DPW does not add fluoride. The fluoride in Waterford’s water occurs naturally, averaging 0.33 ppm and ranging from non-detect to 0.50 ppm, far below the 4 ppm limit. Sodium is also naturally present, averaging 59 ppm with a range of 18 to 94 ppm, which is worth knowing if you’re watching sodium in your diet.

With hardness averaging 21.6 grains per gallon, most Waterford homes on township water benefit from a water softener to protect plumbing, water heaters, and fixtures from scale. Homes on private wells often deal with iron and hardness together, and a softener paired with whole-house filtration can handle both. For drinking water, reverse osmosis reduces arsenic, sodium, and PFAS at the kitchen sink. A free in-home water test shows what your own tap needs.

You can access the most recent Waterford Township Water Quality Report from the Waterford Township Department of Public Works here.