How does Austintown's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Austintown (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Austintown Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

8.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

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

Appliance	In Austintown	Soft Water City	Efficiency 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 Austintown compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Austintown, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Niles, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	29 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Youngstown, Ohio	≈ 180+ mg/L	55.8 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Boardman, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Warren, Ohio	143.68 mg/L	9.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Austintown compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Austintown	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Austintown's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 484.5 mg/LpH: 8.3

Jackson/Milton Metro Water serves Austintown in Mahoning County, Ohio, providing drinking water to approximately 3,887 residents. Water is sourced from surface supplies including Meander Creek Reservoir, processed through the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District system in collaboration with the City of Youngstown to meet federal standards. No specific treatment plant name is detailed in available reports, but water is fully treated prior to distribution in this suburban area near Youngstown.

The supply originates in the Mahoning River watershed, encompassing Meander Creek Reservoir amid rolling Appalachian Plateau terrain. Pennsylvanian-age sandstones and shales dominate the bedrock geology, interspersed with Mississippian limestone outcrops of the Allegheny and Pottsville Groups that dissolve to enrich water with calcium and magnesium. Pleistocene glacial deposits further influence local hydrology, contributing to a hard supply prone to mineral accumulation shaped by erosion and glacial legacy rather than deep aquifers.

Hard water promotes scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Kettles and faucets show white deposits most quickly; regular vinegar descaling helps manage deposits. A water softener is recommended for full protection against spotting on glassware and soap inefficiency. Austintown's water meets federal legal limits with zero MCL violations, though two contaminants exceed EPA health-based guidelines (MCLGs), prompting filter recommendations for vulnerable groups. Treatment involves coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.

Geology & Source: Mahoning Valley — Pennsylvanian sandstones, shales, and coal measures of the Allegheny and Pottsville Groups overlie Mississippian limestones; carbonate dissolution produces hard water; Pleistocene glacial till adds trace mineral loading

Other Ohio Water Reports

Niles

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Youngstown

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Boardman

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Warren

143.68 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austintown's water safe to drink?

Yes. Austintown'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 Austintown?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Austintown'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 Austintown compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Austintown (≈ 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 Austintown 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

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.