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Aurora Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

8.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

478.8 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Aurora, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn AuroraSoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
6.8 yrs
8.5 yrs-20%
Washing Machine
9.6 yrs
12 yrs-20%
Water Heater
12 yrs
15 yrs-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Aurora compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Aurora, Ohio≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardriver
Streetsboro, Ohio≈ 180+ mg/L0 ppt🔴 Very Hardgroundwater
Twinsburg, Ohio≈ 120–179 mg/L8 ppt🟠 Hardriver
Solon, Ohio≈ 120–179 mg/L9 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Hudson, Ohio≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater

National Benchmark

How Aurora compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Aurora≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Aurora's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 478.8 mg/LpH: 8.3

Aurora City - Cleveland PWS supplies approximately 16,296 residents in Aurora, Portage County, drawing finished surface water purchased from regional sources. These are likely reservoirs within the Lake Erie watershed, possibly connected to the Cuyahoga River basin. While a specific treatment plant name isn't available, the water undergoes standard municipal treatment upstream. The utility's contact information is 330-562-6131, located at 130 S Chillicothe Road, Aurora, OH 44202-7845. The water originates in the Lake Erie watershed, an area characterized by Paleozoic sedimentary rocks.

The geology influencing Aurora's water is primarily the Paleozoic bedrock, including limestones and shales of Devonian age, such as the Ohio Shale and Berea Sandstone groups. These carbonate-rich formations readily dissolve, imparting significant mineral content and resulting in a hard water supply. Glacial drift deposits, common in the region, lie atop fractured bedrock aquifers. This combination aids in leaching minerals, like calcium and magnesium, into the surface reservoirs that feed the water system, contributing to the characteristic hardness found in northeastern Ohio.

Homeowners in Aurora may notice scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines, which can reduce their efficiency and shorten their lifespan. Hot water systems often show visible deposits on fixtures. To combat these effects, regular descaling with vinegar, using low-flow aerators, and installing magnetic conditioners can help. For persistent issues like soap scum or dry skin, a whole-house water softener is often recommended. The system also monitors for potential contaminants like trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, methyl ethyl ketone, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, alongside standard surface water treatment processes.

Geology & Source: Lake Erie watershed glacial till; Paleozoic shales and limestones produce hard water

Other Ohio Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aurora's water safe to drink?
Yes. Aurora's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Aurora?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Aurora's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.
How does Aurora compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Aurora (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Aurora is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

pH

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.