Powell Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.8 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
599.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.63
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 Powell, your appliances are currently losing 32% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Powell | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -79% |
| Washing Machine | 4.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -60% |
| Water Heater | 6.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -59% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Powell compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Powell, Ohio | 237 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Dublin, Ohio | 105.5 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Worthington, Ohio | 220 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Delaware, Ohio | 238.5 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Westerville, Ohio | 162.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Powell compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Powell | 237 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Powell's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Powell, Ohio, in Delaware County — a Delaware County city adjacent to Dublin and Westerville on the Olentangy River in central Ohio — receives its water from the Delaware Area Water system, drawing from the Olentangy River (Delaware County) through the central Ohio distribution.
The very hard 237 mg/L hardness and TDS of 599.1 mg/L reflect the central Ohio Delaware County Olentangy River supply's very hard calcareous character — the Devonian Columbus Limestone and Silurian Niagaran Dolomite produce very hard dolomitic water typical of the central Ohio Till Plains communities (compare Bellefontaine OH: 253 mg/L; Clayton OH: 206.5 mg/L; Powell among the harder central Ohio cities from the deep Devonian-Silurian calcareous contact). The Olentangy River at Delaware County — Devonian Columbus Limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — secondary contributor), and Quaternary glacial till (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 237 mg/L with TDS 599, Powell's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended to prevent rapid scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 9.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Delaware County central Ohio industrial corridor contribute to Powell's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Powell in Delaware County draws from the Delaware Area Water on the Olentangy River (Delaware County, central Ohio) — the Olentangy River at Delaware County drains the Till Plains (Devonian Columbus Limestone — calcareous) and Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) — Ohio Delaware County Olentangy River Devonian-Silurian calcareous supply produces very hard water at 237 mg/L with TDS 599.1 mg/L.