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

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

Montgomery 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

340.9 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 Montgomery, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Montgomery	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 Montgomery compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Montgomery, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Blue Ash, Ohio	234.5 mg/L	9.2 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	river
Sharonville, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Reading, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Loveland, Ohio	342 mg/L	34.9 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Montgomery compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 340.9 mg/LpH: 8

Montgomery County Environmental Services provides public water to the Dayton metropolitan area and surrounding communities in Montgomery County, Ohio. This utility draws its supply from the Great Miami River and supplemental regional groundwater aquifers. Water undergoes treatment, including softening, at multiple facilities before distribution to residents. The county's 2022 Drinking Water Quality Report confirmed that the system met all EPA drinking water standards.

The region's water originates in southwestern Ohio's glaciated terrain. Underlying the Pleistocene glacial deposits is bedrock from the Ordovician period, primarily Columbus Limestone and dolomite. These carbonate rock layers naturally contain significant amounts of dissolved calcium and magnesium. As water flows over or percolates through this geology, it picks up these minerals, leading to the characteristic hard water supply found throughout the area.

With water hardness around 9 grains per gallon, homeowners can expect common issues like scale buildup in appliances and pipes, which will shorten their lifespan. You'll also notice that soap and detergents don't lather as effectively, requiring more product for cleaning tasks. While some residents find this level of hardness acceptable, installing a whole-house water softener is advised to protect appliances like dishwashers and washing machines and improve overall cleaning efficiency. Montgomery County Environmental Services can be reached at 937-781-2666 for specific water quality inquiries.

Geology & Source: Ordovician limestone and dolomite; carbonate bedrock rich in calcium and magnesium causes hard water

Other Ohio Water Reports

Blue Ash

234.5 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Sharonville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Reading

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Loveland

342 mg/L

🔴 Very 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 Montgomery's water safe to drink?

Yes. Montgomery'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 Montgomery?

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

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