Defiance Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
597.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.63
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 Defiance, your appliances are currently losing 32% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Defiance | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -79% |
| Washing Machine | 4.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -60% |
| Water Heater | 6.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -59% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Defiance compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Defiance, Ohio | 236.5 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Lima, Ohio | 149.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Adrian, Michigan | 203 mg/L | 11.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| New Haven, Indiana | 213.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Auburn, Indiana | 137 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Defiance compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Defiance | 236.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Defiance's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Defiance, Ohio, in Defiance County — the Defiance County seat adjacent to Bryan and Hicksville at the confluence of the Maumee, Auglaize, and Tiffin Rivers in northwest Ohio — receives its municipal water from the Defiance Water Division, drawing from the Maumee River at the Defiance water intake (Defiance County) through the Defiance treatment plant.
The very hard 236.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 597.1 mg/L reflect the northwest Ohio Maumee River's intense carbonate character. The Maumee River at Defiance accumulates drainage from northwest Ohio's Till Plain — Silurian Lockport Dolomite (the dominant northwest Ohio carbonate platform — very high purity dolomite, similar to Niagara), Devonian Columbus Limestone (very high purity carbonate), and calcareous Pleistocene Erie Lobe till (ground-up dolomite and limestone from the Wisconsin Glaciation). The three-river confluence (Maumee-Auglaize-Tiffin) compounds the carbonate loading, producing the very hard northwest Ohio supply.
At 236.5 mg/L, Defiance's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended. Scale builds rapidly on all heating surfaces, appliance lifespans are significantly shortened, and water heaters require annual descaling without softening. The PFAS level of 9.3 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Defiance County northwest Ohio industrial corridor (glass manufacturing, light industry), the Maumee River PFAS legacy from upstream Toledo metro sources, and the Great Lakes PFAS background contribute to Defiance's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Defiance in Defiance County draws from the Defiance Water Division on the Maumee River (Defiance County, northwest Ohio) — the Maumee at Defiance drains the Ohio Till Plain (Silurian Lockport Dolomite, Devonian Columbus Limestone, calcareous Pleistocene Erie Lobe till) — Ohio Defiance County Maumee River Silurian-Devonian carbonate watershed produces very hard water at 236.5 mg/L with TDS 597.1 mg/L in this Defiance County Ohio city.