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

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

Marietta Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.001 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

271 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 Marietta, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Marietta	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 Marietta compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Marietta, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	28.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Vienna, West Virginia	125 mg/L	17.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Parkersburg, West Virginia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Cambridge, Ohio	317 mg/L	26.2 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Athens, Ohio	159 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Marietta compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 271 mg/LpH: 7.7

Marietta City Public Water System provides water to 18,707 residents in Marietta, Ohio. The utility draws its supply from groundwater aquifers located within the Ohio River Valley watershed. After collection, this groundwater undergoes conventional softening treatment and chlorine disinfection at the system's treatment facilities before being distributed to the community. The water originates from underground sources in an area known for its rich mineral content.

Geologically, the Marietta water supply is sourced from Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. These formations include significant deposits of limestone and dolomite, which are carbonate-rich. As water percolates through these ancient marine strata, particularly those dating back to the Devonian and Carboniferous ages, it dissolves these minerals. The resulting presence of calcium and magnesium carbonates is what gives the Marietta water supply its characteristic hardness.

Homeowners in Marietta may notice scale buildup in appliances like water heaters and kettles, and it can also affect pipes over time. You might also find that soaps and detergents don't lather as effectively. Appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines can suffer from reduced efficiency due to mineral accumulation. While the utility employs conventional softening, recent treatment plant upgrades caused temporary hardness increases, expected to normalize by September 2026. For specific concerns, residents can contact the Marietta City Water Department.

Geology & Source: Ohio River Valley sedimentary formations; limestone and dolomite strata produce significant hardness

Other Ohio Water Reports

Vienna

125 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Parkersburg

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Cambridge

317 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Athens

159 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 Marietta's water safe to drink?

Yes. Marietta'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 Marietta?

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

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