Chillicothe Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
486.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Chillicothe, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Chillicothe | 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 Chillicothe compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chillicothe, Ohio | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Circleville, Ohio | 428 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Washington Court House, Ohio | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Lancaster, Ohio | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Grove City, Ohio | 120 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Chillicothe compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chillicothe | ≈ 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 Chillicothe's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Ross County Water Company, Inc. (PWS ID: 7101412) supplies drinking water to Chillicothe and surrounding areas in Ross County, Ohio, drawing from local groundwater aquifers treated at the company's facilities. Chillicothe Municipal Utilities also provides service in the area, with both utilities emphasizing high-quality treated water. The service covers Chillicothe, OH 45601, and nearby communities; customers may contact the utility at (740) 774-4117 or via www.rosscowater.org. The utility publishes annual Consumer Confidence Reports to keep customers informed about water quality standards and test results.
The watershed encompasses the Scioto River basin in the unglaciated Appalachian Plateau region. Groundwater originates from carbonate aquifers in Devonian and Silurian limestone and dolomite formations — including the Columbus Limestone — which impart a hard character through natural mineral leaching. The local geology features karst characteristics and groundwater flow through fractured limestones, enhancing mineral dissolution without significant softening influences from glacial deposits, resulting in elevated dissolved solids typical of south-central Ohio geology.
Hard water leads to scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan; white deposits on fixtures require more detergent and energy to manage. Regular maintenance including deliming heaters and using scale inhibitors is recommended, and a water softener is advisable for households. Per the 2021 Water Quality Report, total hardness ranges 120–140 mg/L, alkalinity 240–280 mg/L, and pH 7.0–7.8; recent testing confirms lead and copper at or below EPA action levels.
Geology & Source: Ross County, Ohio — Appalachian Basin; Devonian Columbus Limestone and Silurian dolomites; karst fractures enhance calcium and magnesium dissolution in groundwater, producing hard supply
Other Ohio Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chillicothe's water safe to drink?
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How does Chillicothe compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Chillicothe is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.