Shaker Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
407.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.50
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 Shaker Heights, your appliances are currently losing 25% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Shaker Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -60% |
| Washing Machine | 6.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -45% |
| Water Heater | 8.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -46% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Shaker Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Shaker Heights, Ohio | 188.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| University Heights, Ohio | 220.5 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Warrensville Heights, Ohio | 116.5 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Cleveland Heights, Ohio | 164 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| South Euclid, Ohio | 235.5 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Shaker Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Shaker Heights | 188.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Shaker Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Shaker Heights, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County — a major east Cleveland historically planned suburban community (Shaker Heights is one of the most historically distinguished suburban communities in the United States — one of the first and most successful comprehensively planned suburbs in America; Shaker Heights was developed by the Van Sweringen brothers (Oris and Mantis Van Sweringen — the Van Sweringen brothers were Cleveland real estate developers who created Shaker Heights as a model planned suburb in the 1910s–1920s, linked to downtown Cleveland by the Shaker Rapid Transit (one of the few early 20th century privately funded rapid transit lines to survive into the present day)); Shaker Heights has one of the finest collections of Tudor Revival, Georgian Revival, and Colonial Revival residential architecture in the Cleveland metro; Shaker Heights is known for its strong public school system (Shaker Heights City School District — consistently ranked among the finest public school systems in Ohio and one of the most racially integrated school districts in the country)), a diverse Cuyahoga County community with a primarily upper-middle-class, Jewish-American, and African-American professional population — draws its municipal water supply via the Cleveland Division of Water. Water hardness in Shaker Heights measures 188.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Shaker Heights's hard supply reflects the east Cleveland Cuyahoga County Lake Erie supply with limited softening. The Cleveland Division of Water distributes Lake Erie supply to the east Cuyahoga County Shaker Heights zone with limited softening, producing the hard 188.5 mg/L.
At 188.5 mg/L, Shaker Heights residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling and water softeners are recommended. Cleveland Division of Water consistently delivers water meeting all Ohio EPA and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Lake supply from the Lake Erie via the Cleveland Division of Water — the Cuyahoga County east Cleveland suburban Shaker Heights corridor (Devonian calcareous-moderate Ohio Shale and Erie Basin dolomite — the calcareous-moderate east Cleveland Cuyahoga County Lake Erie supply; Cleveland Water limited softening); hard supply at 188.5 mg/L in Cuyahoga County.