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

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

Monroe Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.004 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

331.2 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 Monroe, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Monroe	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 Monroe compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Monroe, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Middletown, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Mason, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Trenton, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Franklin, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Monroe compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 331.2 mg/LpH: 8

The City of Monroe Public Water System, in partnership with Butler County, supplies water to roughly 15,000 residents in Monroe, Ohio, using a mix of sources. Great Miami River surface water and local groundwater aquifers feed into jointly managed treatment facilities. The system consistently monitors water quality to meet state and federal standards. For more information, residents can contact Kevin Newberry at the plant, as detailed in the 2024 Consumer Confidence Report.

The water's journey begins in the Great Miami River watershed, flowing through Paleozoic carbonate bedrock of the Cincinnati Arch. Key geological features include Ordovician limestone and shale from the Cincinnatian Group, with Silurian dolomite present in some areas. These carbonate formations, particularly limestone aquifers, readily dissolve calcium and magnesium, leading to the water's naturally hard characteristic, a trait amplified by karst features within the limestone.

Homeowners will notice moderate scale buildup on pipes, appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, and washing machines, which can decrease efficiency and shorten their lifespan. Fixtures might develop spots and films. To combat this, routine deliming of appliances every one to two years is recommended, along with the use of scale inhibitors. Installing a water softener is a practical step to lessen these effects and prolong the life of your equipment. While the system assures compliance with all regulations, the 2024 CCR did note levels of bromoform, arsenic, and bromodichloromethane that exceeded EPA health guidelines.

Geology & Source: Paleozoic carbonate bedrock; Ordovician limestone and Silurian dolomite dissolve calcium and magnesium carbonates, imparting hard water.

Other Ohio Water Reports

Middletown

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Mason

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Trenton

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Franklin

≈ 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 Monroe's water safe to drink?

Yes. Monroe'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 Monroe?

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

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