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

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

Ironton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

7.6

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

200.7 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 Ironton, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Ironton	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 Ironton compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Ironton, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	28.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Ashland, Kentucky	≈ 120–179 mg/L	31.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Meads, Kentucky	239.5 mg/L	4 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Huntington, West Virginia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Portsmouth, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Ironton compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 200.7 mg/LpH: 7.6

The City of Ironton manages the municipal water system that supplies Ironton and nearby communities in Lawrence County, Ohio. Their main water source is the Ohio River, with raw water being sent to the city's treatment facility. The treatment process involves adding chemicals, like potassium permanganate for controlling zebra mussels, and using standard methods to create safe drinking water that's then distributed to homes and businesses.

The Ohio River watershed above Ironton stretches across the Appalachian Plateau, characterized by bedrock formations from the Devonian and Pennsylvanian periods. These include shales, limestones, sandstones, and coals. As these mineral-rich rocks break down, they release calcium and magnesium into the river, resulting in a hard water supply. Runoff from farms and cities in the watershed also impacts the river's chemistry, introducing more minerals and nutrients.

Homeowners in Ironton might notice scale forming in appliances like kettles, water heaters, and showerheads. Devices such as dishwashers and washing machines may need extra detergent and more frequent descaling to operate efficiently. Routine cleaning of faucet aerators and occasional flushing of water heaters can help mitigate scale buildup. Many residents opt for a water softener to reduce scaling, prolong appliance life, and use less soap. The Ironton water system boasts a strong compliance history with few violations, and reported lead levels remain safely below the EPA's action threshold.

Geology & Source: Appalachian Basin sedimentary rocks; Devonian shales/limestones and Pennsylvanian sandstones/coals contribute to hard water

Other Ohio Water Reports

Ashland

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Meads

239.5 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Huntington

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Portsmouth

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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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 Ironton's water safe to drink?

Yes. Ironton'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 Ironton?

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

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