McDonough Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
160.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.24
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 McDonough, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In McDonough | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -22% |
| Washing Machine | 10.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -14% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How McDonough compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ McDonough, Georgia | 90.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Stockbridge, Georgia | 113.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Griffin, Georgia | 97.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Conyers, Georgia | 133.5 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Stonecrest, Georgia | 117.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How McDonough compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ McDonough | 90.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes McDonough's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
McDonough, Georgia, in Henry County south of Atlanta at the I-75 and I-675 interchange — the Henry County seat and one of the Atlanta metropolitan area's fastest-growing communities — receives its municipal water from the Henry County Water Authority, drawing from Lake Dow (a reservoir on the Towaliga River tributary) and supplementary supply from the Clayton County Lakes and regional Atlanta-area water authority agreements. Henry County has invested significantly in water supply infrastructure to support its rapid suburban growth.
The moderately soft 90.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 160.7 mg/L reflect the Towaliga River watershed's crystalline Georgia Piedmont character. The watershed draining into Lake Dow and the upper Towaliga basin covers the Henry County Georgia Piedmont — a terrane of Precambrian Grenville-age gneisses and amphibolites, Paleozoic metavolcanic rocks of the Carolina Terrane, and intrusive granite and granodiorite bodies — all crystalline rocks with virtually no soluble carbonate minerals. Georgia Piedmont reservoir water consistently produces moderately soft water throughout the metro Atlanta south suburban corridor.
At 90.5 mg/L, McDonough's water is moderately soft — comfortable and appliance-friendly. Scale forms slowly in kettles and appliances over many months, soap lathers well, and the dishwasher produces clean results without special treatment. Semi-annual descaling of heating appliances is adequate for Henry County households. The PFAS level of 4.9 ppt is moderate for the Atlanta metro area — Henry County's rapid suburban development and proximity to the Atlanta airport industrial corridor contribute to the regional PFAS background, though McDonough's southern position keeps levels below the more industrial north Atlanta communities.
Geology & Source: McDonough in Henry County draws from the Henry County Water Authority system on Lake Dow (Towaliga River) — the Towaliga watershed drains the Georgia Piedmont Province over Precambrian gneiss and schist and Paleozoic metavolcanic rocks with negligible carbonate content — crystalline Georgia Piedmont drainage produces moderately soft water at 90.5 mg/L characteristic of metro Atlanta's south suburban supply.