Massillon Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Aqua Ohio - City of Massillon (PWSID OH7604512) provides drinking water to approximately 90,658 residents in Massillon, Stark County, Ohio. The utility draws exclusively from groundwater sources via wells, with a wellhead protection plan endorsed by the Ohio EPA. The system is operated from 870 Third St NW, Massillon, OH 44647. No named surface reservoirs supplement the supply; the utility relies entirely on subsurface extraction monitored under standard groundwater disinfection and compliance protocols.

Massillon's groundwater originates from aquifer basins in the Tuscarawas River watershed region. Glacial drift overlies Pennsylvanian-age Pottsville Group sandstones and conglomerates, beneath which lie Mississippian carbonate sequences of limestone and shale. These mineralized layers, combined with karst-influenced flow paths through the Paleozoic sedimentary stack, allow prolonged dissolution of calcium and magnesium ions, producing the characteristically hard water typical of Ohio's inland groundwater systems.

Hard water in Massillon causes scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and shortening appliance lifespan. White deposits accumulate in kettles and on fixtures, and soap lathering is less effective, potentially drying skin and hair. Regular vinegar descaling, sediment filter installation, and annual water heater flushing are recommended. A water softener is advisable for households to mitigate mineral deposits and protect appliances. The 2022 Consumer Confidence Report confirms wellhead protection compliance, though third-party analysis flags two contaminants above EPA health guidelines, including radiologicals.