Mount Vernon Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.3 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
366.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.47
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
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 Mount Vernon, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Mount Vernon | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -55% |
| Washing Machine | 7.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -41% |
| Water Heater | 8.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Mount Vernon compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mount Vernon, Ohio | 176.5 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Newark, Ohio | 218 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Mansfield, Ohio | 208 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Pataskala, Ohio | 152 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Ashland, Ohio | 196.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Mount Vernon compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mount Vernon | 176.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Mount Vernon's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Mount Vernon, Ohio, in Knox County — the Knox County seat adjacent to Gambier and Fredericktown on the Kokosing River in central Ohio — receives its municipal water from the Mount Vernon Water Division, drawing from the Kokosing River at the Mount Vernon intake (Knox County) through the Mount Vernon treatment plant.
The hard 176.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 366.5 mg/L reflect the central Ohio Kokosing River's carbonate character. The Kokosing River at Knox County drains the Ohio Till Plain — Mississippian Black Hand Sandstone (the dominant central Ohio sandstone, moderately calcareous cementing matrix), Devonian Columbus Limestone (very high purity carbonate — major hardness source), and calcareous Pleistocene Killbuck Lobe till (ground-up Devonian limestone and Silurian dolomite). The Devonian Columbus Limestone and Pleistocene till contributions produce the hard central Ohio supply.
At 176.5 mg/L, Mount Vernon's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 6.9 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Knox County central Ohio light-industrial corridor, the Kokosing River agricultural watershed runoff, and the central Ohio PFAS background contribute to Mount Vernon's readings.
Geology & Source: Mount Vernon in Knox County draws from the Mount Vernon Water Division on the Kokosing River (Knox County, central Ohio) — the Kokosing drains the Ohio Till Plain (Mississippian Black Hand Sandstone, Devonian Columbus Limestone, calcareous Pleistocene Killbuck Lobe till) — Ohio Knox County Kokosing River Devonian-Mississippian carbonate watershed produces hard water at 176.5 mg/L with TDS 366.5 mg/L in this Knox County Ohio city.