Clayton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
475 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.55
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 Clayton, your appliances are currently losing 28% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Clayton | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -67% |
| Washing Machine | 6 yrs | 12 yrs | -50% |
| Water Heater | 7.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -51% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Clayton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clayton, Ohio | 206.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Englewood, Ohio | 181.5 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Trotwood, Ohio | 183.5 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Vandalia, Ohio | 217.5 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Dayton, Ohio | 108.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Clayton compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clayton | 206.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Clayton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Clayton, Ohio, in Montgomery County — a Montgomery County city adjacent to Englewood and Vandalia in north Dayton metro — receives its water from the Dayton Water Department, drawing from the Great Miami River (Montgomery County) through the Dayton metro distribution.
The hard 206.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 475 mg/L reflect the north Dayton metro Montgomery County Great Miami River supply's hard dolomitic character — notably harder than the south Dayton corridor (West Carrollton: 109.5 mg/L; Englewood: 110.5 mg/L) because Clayton's draw point appears to intersect deeper Silurian dolomite buried valley aquifer contributions with higher carbonate concentration and TDS. The Great Miami River at Montgomery County — Silurian Lockport Dolomite (dolomitic — primary hardness contributor from buried valley aquifer), Devonian Ohio Shale (slightly calcareous — TDS contributor), and Quaternary Great Miami alluvium (calcareous — secondary contributor).
At 206.5 mg/L with TDS 475, Clayton's water is hard. A water softener is recommended to prevent scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 8.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Montgomery County Dayton metro industrial corridor contribute to Clayton's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Clayton in Montgomery County draws from the Dayton Water Department on the Great Miami River (Montgomery County, southwest Ohio) — the Great Miami River at Montgomery County drains the Till Plains through the Silurian Lockport Dolomite (dolomitic) buried valley aquifer — Ohio Montgomery County Great Miami River Silurian dolomitic calcareous supply produces hard water at 206.5 mg/L with TDS 475 mg/L.