Stow Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
river
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
192.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Stow, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Stow | 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 Stow compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Stow, Ohio | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Tallmadge, Ohio | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Hudson, Ohio | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Kent, Ohio | 311 mg/L | 12.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Stow compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Stow | ≈ 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 Stow's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Akron Water Plant Division supplies treated surface water to Stow, Ohio, in Summit County, serving approximately 35 million gallons per day across the city and surrounding areas of northeastern Ohio. Water is sourced from the Upper Cuyahoga River via three impounding reservoirs: Lake Rockwell, Mogadore Reservoir, and Charleston Lake. Treatment occurs at the City of Akron's water plants, distributing to Stow residents through the Stow Public Water System.
The Upper Cuyahoga River watershed drains a mixed landscape of forests, agriculture, and urban development in the glaciated Allegheny Plateau. Underlying geology includes Pennsylvanian Pottsville Formation sandstones and shales, with influences from Mississippian-age Berea Sandstone and carbonate bedrock exposures in the region. Glacial till and outwash deposits enhance mineral leaching into surface waters, imparting a hard supply character as dissolved minerals from sedimentary rocks accumulate in the reservoirs without reliance on deep groundwater aquifers.
At moderately hard levels, scale buildup most affects water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan; faucet aerators and showerheads may clog, and soap scum forms on fixtures. Regular vinegar descaling, scale-inhibiting filters, and annual appliance flushing mitigate buildup; a water softener is recommended for households with persistent glassware spotting or reduced detergent performance. Stow's water maintains excellent EPA compliance, with lead and copper well below action levels; treatment involves coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorine disinfection; pH is neutral to slightly alkaline.
Geology & Source: Upper Cuyahoga River watershed; Pennsylvanian Pottsville Group sandstones, shales, and conglomerates with Mississippian limestones and dolomites — carbonate and siliciclastic dissolution produces hard water
Other Ohio Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stow's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Stow?
How does Stow compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Stow is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.