Bellefontaine Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
669.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.67
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 Bellefontaine, your appliances are currently losing 34% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Bellefontaine | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -65% |
| Water Heater | 5.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -63% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Bellefontaine compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bellefontaine, Ohio | 253 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Sidney, Ohio | 210 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Marysville, Ohio | 230 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Springfield, Ohio | 107.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Lima, Ohio | 149.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Bellefontaine compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Bellefontaine | 253 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Bellefontaine's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Bellefontaine, Ohio, in Logan County — the Logan County seat adjacent to Springfield and Urbana in west-central Ohio — receives its water from the Bellefontaine Water System, drawing from the Mad River or Indian Lake (Logan County) through the west-central Ohio distribution.
The very hard 253 mg/L hardness and TDS of 669.9 mg/L reflect the west-central Ohio Logan County supply's very hard dolomitic character — Logan County occupies the topographic high point of Ohio (Campbell Hill) and drains through the thick Silurian Niagaran Dolomite and Devonian Columbus Limestone that produce extremely hard dolomitic water from the deep calcareous karst, with elevated TDS from the extensive residence time in the calcareous rock. The Mad River-Indian Lake at Logan County — Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — primary hardness contributor), Devonian Columbus Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Ohio glacial till (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 253 mg/L with TDS 670, Bellefontaine's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended to prevent rapid scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 10.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Logan County west-central Ohio industrial corridor contribute to Bellefontaine's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Bellefontaine in Logan County draws from the Bellefontaine Water System on the Mad River or Indian Lake (Logan County, west-central Ohio) — the Mad River-Indian Lake watershed at Logan County drains the Till Plains through Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) and Devonian Columbus Limestone (calcareous) — Ohio Logan County Mad River-Indian Lake Silurian-Devonian dolomitic supply produces very hard water at 253 mg/L with TDS 669.9 mg/L.