Richmond Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
502.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.59
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 Richmond, your appliances are currently losing 30% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Richmond | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -73% |
| Washing Machine | 5.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -55% |
| Water Heater | 6.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -55% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Richmond compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Richmond, Indiana | 222 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Connersville, Indiana | 231 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Oxford, Ohio | 143 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Greenville, Ohio | 203.5 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| New Castle, Indiana | 122 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Richmond compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Richmond | 222 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Richmond's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Richmond, Indiana, the Wayne County seat — a major east Indiana community on the Ohio border (Richmond is the Wayne County seat and the largest city in east Indiana, directly on the Indiana–Ohio state line), home of Earlham College (a prestigious Quaker liberal arts college known for its academic rigor and commitment to peace and social justice) and Indiana University East, a historically significant city in the Indiana Quaker community (Richmond was a major center of Indiana's Quaker population in the 19th century — a significant stop on the Underground Railroad), and a diverse Wayne County community with a strong manufacturing heritage — draws its municipal water supply from the Whitewater River alluvial wells and deep Ordovician aquifer via the City of Richmond Water Division. Water hardness in Richmond measures 222 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Richmond's very hard supply reflects the east Indiana Whitewater River Valley's highly calcareous Paleozoic carbonate geology. The Whitewater River Valley alluvial aquifer at Richmond–Wayne County draws from: the Ordovician Trenton Limestone (highly calcareous marine limestone of the east Indiana Paleozoic Platform); the Silurian–Devonian Salamonie Dolomite (highly calcareous dolomite); and the Wisconsin Age Whitewater Till (calcareous glacial till from the Erie Lobe — limestone-rich calcareous till). City of Richmond treatment produces the very hard 222 mg/L.
At 222 mg/L, Richmond residents face severe hard water challenges. Weekly descaling and appliance protection measures are strongly recommended. City of Richmond Water Division consistently delivers water meeting all Indiana DEM and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Whitewater River Alluvial Aquifer and Cambrian–Ordovician Trenton Limestone via the City of Richmond Water Division — the Wayne County east Indiana Whitewater River Valley (Ordovician Trenton Limestone and Silurian–Devonian calcareous dolomite of the eastern Indiana Paleozoic carbonate platform; Wisconsin Age calcareous Whitewater Till); very hard supply at 222 mg/L in Wayne County.