Rocky River Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
274.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.39
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 Rocky River, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Rocky River | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 8.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Rocky River compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Rocky River, Ohio | 147.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Lakewood, Ohio | 120.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Fairview Park, Ohio | 189 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Westlake, Ohio | 165.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Bay Village, Ohio | 235 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Rocky River compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Rocky River | 147.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Rocky River's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Rocky River, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County — a western Cuyahoga County suburb of Cleveland on the Rocky River, one of the more affluent outer-ring Cleveland suburbs known for its kayaking and fishing in the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks — receives its municipal water from the Cleveland Water Department, which draws from Lake Erie at the Cleveland offshore intakes, serving Rocky River as part of the greater Cleveland metropolitan water system.
The moderately hard 147.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 274.1 mg/L reflect Cleveland Water's Lake Erie supply — harder than Lake Michigan (104 mg/L in Chicago) due to Lake Erie's shallower depth and greater carbonate loading from the Ohio-Ontario shoreline. Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes and drains the Ohio and Ontario Silurian-Devonian carbonate platform — the same Silurian Niagara Dolomite and Devonian Columbus Limestone underlying most of Ohio contributes dissolved carbonate to Lake Erie through extensive tributary drainage (Cuyahoga River, Maumee River, and dozens of small Ohio tributaries). The shallowest lake also has the least dilution capacity, concentrating dissolved mineral inputs.
At 147.5 mg/L, Rocky River's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.7 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Cuyahoga County industrial legacy (Cleveland steel, chemical, and manufacturing complex), the Lake Erie basin's accumulated PFAS from decades of Great Lakes industrial discharge, and the Ohio Army National Guard facilities in the watershed all contribute to Cleveland Water's PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Rocky River in Cuyahoga County is served by the Cleveland Water Department treating Lake Erie — Lake Erie drains the western Great Lakes basin including the Silurian-Devonian carbonate platform (Ohio-Ontario-Indiana carbonate arc) — Great Lakes carbonate platform drainage produces moderately hard water at 147.5 mg/L with TDS 274 mg/L in this Cuyahoga County Ohio suburb.