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

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

Mason 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

180.7 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 Mason, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Mason	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 Mason compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Mason, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Monroe, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Loveland, Ohio	342 mg/L	34.9 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Lebanon, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Sharonville, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Mason compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 180.7 mg/LpH: 7.6

The City of Mason Utilities Department provides water to approximately 35,000 residents across a 32-square-mile area in Warren County, Ohio. The primary source is the Shaker Creek Aquifer, with water extracted via wells and treated at the city's two treatment plants, which focus on filtration and disinfection. Studies have confirmed the aquifer's long-term capacity, supplemented by advanced nanofiltration treatment implemented by Warren County in recent years to improve water quality.

Mason's supply originates from the Great Miami River watershed, where the Shaker Creek Aquifer — part of the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer (GMBVA) system — draws from glacial outwash sands and gravels overlying Paleozoic carbonate bedrock. Dominant formations include the dolomite-rich Lockport Dolomite and Niagara Limestone from the Silurian and Devonian periods. These carbonate layers dissolve over time, releasing calcium and magnesium into the groundwater; the aquifer's confined nature concentrates these minerals, shaping a hard supply characteristic of the region's buried valley systems.

Hard water in Mason causes moderate scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency and lifespan if untreated. Laundry may appear dingy and soap efficiency decreases, requiring more detergent. Regular deliming of fixtures and annual heater flushing are advised, along with a water softener to prevent mineral deposits and extend plumbing life. Treatment includes nanofiltration for hardness reduction, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination. Recent Consumer Confidence Reports note consistent lead and copper rule compliance; no PFAS exceedances reported; pH is neutral to slightly alkaline.

Geology & Source: Shaker Creek Aquifer — Great Miami Buried Valley system; glacial sand and gravel over Silurian-Devonian Lockport Dolomite and Niagara Limestone; carbonate dissolution produces hard groundwater

Other Ohio Water Reports

Monroe

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Loveland

342 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Lebanon

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Sharonville

≈ 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 Mason's water safe to drink?

Yes. Mason'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 Mason?

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

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