Norton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
686.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.68
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 Norton, your appliances are currently losing 34% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Norton | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -66% |
| Water Heater | 5.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -65% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Norton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Norton, Ohio | 256.5 mg/L | 10.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Barberton, Ohio | 223.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Copley, Ohio | 190.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Wadsworth, Ohio | 102 mg/L | 3.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Akron, Ohio | 160.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Norton compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Norton | 256.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Norton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Norton, Ohio, in Summit County — a Summit County city adjacent to Barberton and Akron in northeast Ohio — receives its water from the Akron Water Department or Barberton Water, drawing from the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie through the northeast Ohio metropolitan distribution.
The very hard 256.5 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 686.3 mg/L reflect the Summit County Cuyahoga supply's very hard calcareous character — the Ordovician Cincinnatian limestone and Silurian Niagaran Dolomite are both highly calcareous formations throughout northeast Ohio, and the Cuyahoga basin accumulates significant dissolved minerals from the carbonate-rich watershed (compare Barberton OH: 252/678 in Summit County comparable; Akron OH: 258/690 in Summit County comparable; Norton consistent very hard from the same Summit County Cuyahoga-Ordovician calcareous supply). The Cuyahoga watershed at Summit County — Ordovician Cincinnatian limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — secondary contributor), and Quaternary glacial till (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 256.5 mg/L with TDS 686, Norton's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking. The PFAS level of 10.1 ppt is very high — a certified drinking water filter is strongly recommended — the Summit County northeast Ohio industrial corridor (rubber, plastics, chemicals) contributes to Norton's very elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Norton in Summit County draws from the Akron Water Department on the Cuyahoga River (Summit County, northeast Ohio) — the Cuyahoga watershed at Summit County drains Ordovician Cincinnatian limestone (calcareous) and Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) — Ohio Summit County Cuyahoga River Ordovician-Silurian calcareous supply produces very hard water at 256.5 mg/L with TDS 686.3 mg/L.