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

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

Dover Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.001 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

150.2 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 Dover, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Dover	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 Dover compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Dover, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
New Philadelphia, Ohio	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Massillon, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Canton, Ohio	≈ 180+ mg/L	0 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
North Canton, Ohio	≈ 180+ mg/L	9.2 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Dover compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 150.2 mg/LpH: 7.5

The Dover City PWS provides drinking water to about 13,253 residents in Dover, Ohio, Tuscarawas County. While specific treatment plant names and water sources like reservoirs or aquifers aren't detailed, the system's supply is influenced by Ohio watersheds, notably the Tuscarawas River basin. This region's geology, characterized by sedimentary rock formations from the Pennsylvanian and Mississippian periods including limestones, shales, and sandstones, naturally contributes dissolved minerals to both groundwater and surface water supplies.

The geology underpinning Dover's water supply consists of Pennsylvanian and Mississippian period sedimentary rocks. These include formations like the slightly calcareous Pottsville Formation and the otherwise insoluble Logan Formation. As water interacts with these layers, particularly the calcareous components, it picks up minerals, leading to a naturally hard water supply. This leaching process is typical for areas with this geological makeup in east-central Ohio.

Homeowners in Dover may notice mineral buildup in pipes, which can reduce water pressure and affect the efficiency of appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. You might also find that soap doesn't lather as easily, requiring more detergent. To combat scale, routine descaling of appliances with vinegar is a good practice. For a more comprehensive solution to extend the life of your plumbing and fixtures, installing a whole-house water softener is often recommended.

Geology & Source: Pennsylvanian and Mississippian sedimentary rocks; calcareous formations produce moderate hardness

Other Ohio Water Reports

New Philadelphia

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Massillon

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Canton

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

North Canton

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Report an Issue

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 Dover's water safe to drink?

Yes. Dover'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 Dover?

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

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