Amherst Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.2 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
357.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.46
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 Amherst, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Amherst | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -54% |
| Washing Machine | 7.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -40% |
| Water Heater | 8.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Amherst compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Amherst, Ohio | 174 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Lorain, Ohio | 179.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Vermilion-on-the-Lake, Ohio | 236 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Elyria, Ohio | 160 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Vermilion, Ohio | 235.5 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Amherst compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Amherst | 174 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Amherst's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Amherst, Ohio, in Lorain County — a Lorain County city adjacent to Oberlin and Lorain on the south shore of Lake Erie in north Ohio — receives its water from the Lorain County Water Department, drawing from Lake Erie through the north Ohio Lake Erie distribution.
The hard 174 mg/L hardness and TDS of 357.9 mg/L reflect the Lorain County Lake Erie supply's hard dolomitic character — the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite is the dominant bedrock formation throughout northern Ohio and produces the region's characteristic hard water, supplemented by modest contributions from Devonian Berea Sandstone (compare Lorain OH: 170/350 in Lorain County comparable; Oberlin OH: 172/355 in Lorain County comparable; Amherst consistent hard from the same Lorain County Lake Erie Silurian dolomitic draw). The Lake Erie basin at Lorain County — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Devonian Berea Sandstone (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Lake Erie glacial drift (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 174 mg/L with TDS 358, Amherst's water is hard — scale builds notably in water heaters and kettles over months, faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Lorain County north Ohio industrial corridor and Lake Erie agricultural basin contribute to Amherst's elevated readings. Review the Lorain County Water Department's annual report for the latest data.
Geology & Source: Amherst in Lorain County draws from the Lorain County Water on Lake Erie (Lorain County, north Ohio) — the Lake Erie basin at Lorain County is underlain by Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) and Devonian Berea Sandstone (slightly calcareous) — Ohio Lorain County Lake Erie Silurian-Devonian dolomitic supply produces hard water at 174 mg/L with TDS 357.9 mg/L.