Salem Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
180.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.30
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 Salem, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Salem | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -31% |
| Washing Machine | 9.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -22% |
| Water Heater | 11.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -26% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Salem compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Salem, Ohio | 113 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Austintown, Ohio | 209 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Boardman, Ohio | 143.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Alliance, Ohio | 168.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Youngstown, Ohio | 230.5 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Salem compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Salem | 113 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Salem's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Salem, Ohio, in Columbiana County — a Columbiana County city adjacent to Alliance and Leetonia in northeast Ohio's Appalachian foothills — receives its water from the City of Salem Water Department, drawing from Wick Reservoir on Little Beaver Creek through the northeast Ohio distribution.
The moderately hard 113 mg/L hardness and TDS of 180.6 mg/L are relatively moderate for northeast Ohio — the Pennsylvanian Pottsville Formation in the Appalachian foothills is primarily siliciclastic (sandstone and conglomerate) with minimal calcareous content, and the Devonian Berea Sandstone similarly contributes little dissolved mineral (compare Alliance OH: 110/175 in Stark County comparable; Leetonia OH: 115/183 in Columbiana County comparable; Salem consistent moderate from the same Columbiana County Little Beaver Creek Pennsylvanian sandstone supply). The Little Beaver Creek watershed at Columbiana County — Pennsylvanian Pottsville Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Devonian Berea Sandstone (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary glacial drift (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 113 mg/L with TDS 181, Salem's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup in appliances over time. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.3 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review the City of Salem's annual water quality report for the latest contaminant monitoring data.
Geology & Source: Salem in Columbiana County draws from the Salem Water on Wick Reservoir (Columbiana County, northeast Ohio) — the Little Beaver Creek watershed at Columbiana County drains Pennsylvanian Pottsville Formation (slightly calcareous) and Devonian Berea Sandstone (slightly calcareous) — Ohio Columbiana County Wick Reservoir Pennsylvanian-Devonian supply produces moderately hard water at 113 mg/L with TDS 180.6 mg/L.