Franklin 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
667.5 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 Franklin, your appliances are currently losing 34% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Franklin | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -64% |
| Water Heater | 5.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -63% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Franklin compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Franklin, Ohio | 252.5 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Springboro, Ohio | 104.5 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Miamisburg, Ohio | 143.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Middletown, Ohio | 148 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| West Carrollton City, Ohio | 109.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Franklin compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Franklin | 252.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Franklin's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Franklin, Ohio, in Warren County — a Warren County city adjacent to Carlisle and Springboro on the Great Miami River in southwest Ohio — receives its water from the City of Franklin Water Department, drawing from the Great Miami River through the southwest Ohio distribution.
The very hard 252.5 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 667.5 mg/L reflect the Warren County Great Miami supply's very hard calcareous character — the Ordovician Cincinnatian limestone of the Cincinnati Arch and Silurian Niagaran Dolomite are both highly calcareous formations throughout the Great Miami River corridor in southwest Ohio (compare Carlisle OH: 248/658 in Warren County comparable; Springboro OH: 256/676 in Warren County comparable; Franklin consistent very hard from the same Warren County Great Miami River Ordovician-Silurian calcareous supply). The Great Miami watershed — Ordovician Cincinnatian limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Great Miami alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 252.5 mg/L with TDS 668, Franklin's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 10.0 ppt is very high — a certified drinking water filter with PFAS removal is strongly recommended — the Warren County southwest Ohio manufacturing corridor contributes to Franklin's very elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Franklin in Warren County draws from the City of Franklin Water on the Great Miami River (Warren County, southwest Ohio) — the Great Miami watershed drains Ordovician Cincinnatian limestone (calcareous) and Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) — Ohio Warren County Great Miami River Ordovician-Silurian calcareous supply produces very hard water at 252.5 mg/L with TDS 667.5 mg/L.