Lakewood Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
199.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 Lakewood, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lakewood | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -34% |
| Washing Machine | 9.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -24% |
| Water Heater | 10.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -28% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lakewood compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lakewood, Ohio | 120.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Rocky River, Ohio | 147.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Detroit-Shoreway, Ohio | 250.5 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Fairview Park, Ohio | 189 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Brook Park, Ohio | 177 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Lakewood compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lakewood | 120.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Lakewood's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lakewood, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County on Lake Erie immediately west of Cleveland — one of the most densely populated cities in Ohio and the entire Midwest, a vibrant urban community known for its Edwardian and Arts and Crafts residential architecture, the Lakewood Arts District, and a progressive community with large LGBTQ+ and young professional populations — draws its municipal water supply from Lake Erie via the City of Lakewood Division of Water, connected to the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District supply infrastructure. Water hardness in Lakewood measures 120.5 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Lakewood's moderate hardness reflects the Lake Erie supply in the Cleveland west suburban distribution. Lake Erie receives tributary flow from the Cuyahoga River and Rocky River watersheds (the Allegheny Plateau and Portage Escarpment calcareous shale and limestone terrain of northeast Ohio — contributing moderate dissolved calcium to Lake Erie inflow). The Great Lakes Basin calcareous till recharge from the Ohio-Ontario shoreline also moderates Lake Erie hardness. Lakewood's distribution infrastructure — primarily serving a densely built urban community developed in the 1900s–1930s — includes some moderate vintage cast-iron mains, producing the moderate 120.5 mg/L at household taps.
At 120.5 mg/L, Lakewood residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits after several months — monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is practical maintenance. City of Lakewood Division of Water consistently delivers water meeting all Ohio EPA and federal EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from Lake Erie via the City of Lakewood Division of Water — the Cuyahoga County Cleveland west suburban Lake Erie supply zone on the north shore at the Cuyahoga–Rocky River corridor; moderately hard supply at 120.5 mg/L — reflecting the Lake Erie supply in the Cleveland west suburban Lakewood distribution zone.