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

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

Fremont Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

8.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

208.4 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 Fremont, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Fremont	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 Fremont compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Fremont, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Tiffin, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Fostoria, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Sandusky, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Oregon, Ohio	≈ 180+ mg/L	6.1 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Fremont compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 208.4 mg/LpH: 8.2

Fremont City Water System serves the city of Fremont and surrounding areas in Sandusky County, Ohio, with a population of approximately 16,000 residents. The utility operates the Fremont Water Treatment Plant, sourcing raw water exclusively from the Sandusky River, a major surface water body in the region. No groundwater or reservoirs are utilized. Contact includes phone 419-334-5900 and emergency line 888-385-5215, with the mailing address at 323 S Front St, Fremont, OH 43420.

The Sandusky River watershed spans over 1,300 square miles in the Great Lakes basin, draining agricultural lands, forests, and urban areas in north-central Ohio. Water chemistry is shaped by passage through Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, particularly Silurian dolomites and Devonian limestones, which impart a hard character through natural dissolution of alkaline earth metals. Glacial overburden from past ice ages enhances mineral contact, yielding moderately mineralised to hard surface water typical of the region's carbonate geology, without significant buffering from granitic or siliceous formations.

Hard water leads to scale buildup in pipes, reducing water pressure and efficiency in water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. Limescale accumulation in boilers and faucets increases energy costs. Maintenance involves periodic vinegar descaling or magnetic treatments; a whole-house water softener is recommended for households to prevent spotting on glassware, prolong fixture life, and improve soap lathering. The 2021 Consumer Confidence Report notes surface water treatment with conventional filtration and disinfection from the Sandusky River intake.

Geology & Source: Sandusky River watershed, north-central Ohio; Silurian dolomite and Devonian limestone bedrock with Pleistocene glacial till — carbonate dissolution as river traverses limestone-dominated terrain yields hard water

Other Ohio Water Reports

Tiffin

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Fostoria

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Sandusky

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Oregon

≈ 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 Fremont's water safe to drink?

Yes. Fremont'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 Fremont?

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

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