New Franklin Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of New Franklin Water Department provides water to about 14,000 residents in the Akron area, drawing from local groundwater wells. These wells tap into Summit County's glacial drift aquifers, which form the primary source. While specific treatment plant names aren't available, standard municipal processes like disinfection and basic filtration are employed. The Aqua water provider network manages connections, and residents can reach the utility at 330-832-5764 ext. 50666 for service inquiries. The watershed feeding these aquifers is the local drainage basin within the Cuyahoga River basin.

The groundwater originates in Summit County's glacial aquifers, which are composed of sands, gravels, and tills from Pleistocene glaciations. These deposits sit atop older Paleozoic bedrock, including Devonian shale and Carboniferous sandstone formations. Underlying these are Silurian-Devonian dolomites, known for their solubility. The prolonged contact of groundwater with these mineral-rich limestone and dolomite layers, along with the glacial sediments themselves, results in a characteristically hard water supply, typical of Midwestern groundwater.

Homeowners may notice scale buildup in appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, which can decrease their efficiency and shorten their lifespan. You might also find that laundry and dish detergents don't lather as well, sometimes leaving behind residues. To combat these issues, regular descaling of appliances with vinegar, installing drain screens, and flushing hot water heaters twice a year are helpful maintenance steps. For significant improvement and to protect your plumbing, installing a whole-house water softener is often recommended. As a small municipal system, New Franklin complies with Ohio EPA monitoring requirements, and annual Consumer Confidence Reports offer the most current water quality updates.