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

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

Barberton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

8.4

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

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

Appliance	In Barberton	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 Barberton compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Barberton, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Norton, Ohio	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Copley, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
New Franklin, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Akron, Ohio	≈ 60–120 mg/L	6.2 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Barberton compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Barberton	≈ 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 Barberton's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 542.5 mg/LpH: 8.4

The City of Barberton Water Treatment Plant, located at 3365 Summit Rd., Norton, OH 44203, serves approximately 26,000 residents throughout Summit County. The utility sources its drinking water primarily from surface water in the local watershed, treated at the Barberton Water Treatment Plant. Annual Consumer Confidence Reports for 2022 and 2023 confirm compliance with Ohio EPA standards, available on the city website at cityofbarberton.com. Residents may contact the plant at 330-848-6744 for detailed water quality data or reports.

The supply originates from the Cuyahoga River watershed in northeastern Ohio's Glaciated Allegheny Plateau. Pennsylvanian sandstones, shales, and minor limestones of the Allegheny and Pottsville Groups, combined with Pleistocene glacial deposits, impart a hard character through natural dissolution of calcium and magnesium. This geology shapes a mineral-rich profile common to the region's surface waters, with no reliance on deep aquifers.

Hard water in Barberton leads to scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Soap scum, spotting on dishes and fixtures, and dry skin or hair are common complaints. Regular maintenance — deliming appliances, using vinegar rinses, and installing a water softener — is recommended to mitigate these effects. The 2023 CCR reports full compliance with EPA legal limits, though seven of thirteen contaminants exceed health advocacy guidelines; lead levels are below EPA action thresholds.

Geology & Source: Glaciated Allegheny Plateau, Summit County; Pennsylvanian sandstones, shales, coal measures (Allegheny and Pottsville Groups) overlain by Pleistocene glacial till — calcium and magnesium leached from carbonate layers produce hard water

Other Ohio Water Reports

Norton

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Copley

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

New Franklin

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Akron

≈ 60–120 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

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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 Barberton's water safe to drink?

Yes. Barberton'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 Barberton?

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

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