How does Powell's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Powell (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Powell Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

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

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Powell	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Powell compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Powell, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Dublin, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Lewis Center, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Worthington, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Delaware, Ohio	≈ 120–179 mg/L	107.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	river

National Benchmark

How Powell compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Powell	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Powell's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 599.1 mg/LpH: 8.5

Powell Township, part of Delaware County, Ohio, receives its water from Del-Co Water Company, Inc. This utility serves around 150,000 residents across the region. The primary water sources are three groundwater wells, each drilled to depths exceeding 100 feet. Del-Co Water Company is responsible for treating and distributing this water, ensuring it meets quality standards for everyone in its extensive service area. The watershed and underlying geology are typical of central Ohio, characterized by both glacial deposits and bedrock.

Powell's water originates from aquifers found within Devonian-age limestone and dolomite bedrock. These rock layers are covered by glacial drift deposits. Because these formations are rich in carbonates, they naturally dissolve over time, releasing significant amounts of calcium and magnesium minerals into the groundwater. This geological process is what gives the water its characteristic hardness, a common trait for supplies drawn from this part of Ohio.

Homeowners might notice mineral buildup on faucets, dishes, and inside appliances due to the water's hardness. Water heaters and dishwashers can become less efficient and develop visible scale, potentially shortening their lifespan. You may also find that soaps and detergents don't lather as well, and some people detect a slightly bitter taste in coffee or tea. Del-Co Water Company suggests that installing a water softener can help manage these issues, especially if you have sensitive appliances or want to reduce maintenance costs. They do treat the water to reduce hardness, but it remains a hard supply.

Geology & Source: Ohio's glacial drift and bedrock aquifers; Devonian-age limestone and dolomite formations dissolve to produce moderate hardness

Other Ohio Water Reports

Dublin

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Lewis Center

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Worthington

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Delaware

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Powell's water safe to drink?

Yes. Powell's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Powell?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Powell's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Powell compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Powell (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Powell is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.