Newark Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Newark Water Department operates the Newark Water Treatment Plant at 164 Waterworks Road, serving approximately 18,410 active accounts across Newark and surrounding areas in Licking County, Ohio. Raw water is sourced exclusively from the North Fork of the Licking River, a surface supply with a design capacity of 15 million gallons per day and average production of 7.5 MGD. The plant maintains 6.1 million gallons of storage and supports 2,075 fire hydrants throughout the distribution system.

The North Fork Licking River watershed spans approximately 75 square miles in central Ohio, draining agricultural and urban lands underlain by Paleozoic sedimentary rocks — primarily Devonian-age Ohio Shale and Columbus Limestone formations. Surficial Pleistocene glacial till and outwash overlay these formations, influencing runoff chemistry. Carbonate bedrock dissolves calcium and magnesium ions into the river as it flows over limestone outcrops through karst-influenced terrain, producing a moderately hard supply naturally enriched in scale-forming minerals.

At 118 mg/L hardness, scale buildup develops in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and increasing energy costs. Faucets and showerheads accumulate limescale, and soap lathering is reduced, leaving spots on glassware. Regular vinegar descaling, scale inhibitor installation, and annual water heater flushes are recommended; a water softener is advised. The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report confirms full EPA compliance — including 100% of turbidity samples at a maximum of 0.17 NTU — with no lead, copper, or PFAS violations. Treatment includes lime softening, ferric sulfate coagulation, and filtration.