Oregon Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
242.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.36
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 Oregon, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Oregon | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -40% |
| Washing Machine | 8.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -29% |
| Water Heater | 10.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -33% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Oregon compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oregon, Ohio | 136.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Toledo, Ohio | 171.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Perrysburg, Ohio | 185 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Maumee, Ohio | 233.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Sylvania, Ohio | 142.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Oregon compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Oregon | 136.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Oregon's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Oregon, Ohio, in Lucas County — a Lucas County city adjacent to Toledo on the western Lake Erie shoreline, part of the Toledo metropolitan area's eastern suburban corridor — receives its municipal water from the City of Toledo Division of Water or Lucas County water services, which draws from Lake Erie at the Toledo water intake, serving the greater Toledo metropolitan area including Oregon.
The moderately hard 136.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 242.5 mg/L are softer than Cleveland's Lake Erie supply (147-165 mg/L) — the western Lake Erie at Toledo receives the Maumee River drainage (the largest tributary to the Great Lakes by watershed area — draining the flat Indiana-Ohio glacial till plain over the Silurian Salina Group dolomite and evaporite and the Devonian Columbus Limestone). The western lake basin has historically heavy carbonate loading from Maumee River agricultural runoff, but the overall water hardness at Toledo's intake is moderated by the broad lake surface dilution.
At 136.5 mg/L, Oregon's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Toledo industrial legacy (auto glass manufacturing — Owens-Illinois, Libbey-Owens-Ford — industrial chemical sources), the Lake Erie basin's PFAS accumulation, and the Ohio Army National Guard training areas in the Maumee watershed contribute to the Oregon-Lucas County PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Oregon in Lucas County draws from Toledo Division of Water or Lucas County Water treating Lake Erie — Lake Erie in the Toledo-Lucas County reach receives the Maumee River drainage (Indiana-Ohio till plain over Silurian-Devonian carbonate platform) — Great Lakes Maumee valley Silurian-Devonian carbonate drainage produces moderately hard water at 136.5 mg/L with TDS 243 mg/L in this Lucas County Ohio city.