Upper Arlington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.2 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
486.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.56
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 Upper Arlington, your appliances are currently losing 28% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Upper Arlington | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -68% |
| Washing Machine | 5.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -52% |
| Water Heater | 7.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -52% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Upper Arlington compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Upper Arlington, Ohio | 209.5 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Columbus, Ohio | 224.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Hilliard, Ohio | 111.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Worthington, Ohio | 220 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Dublin, Ohio | 105.5 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Upper Arlington compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Upper Arlington | 209.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Upper Arlington's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Upper Arlington, Ohio, in Franklin County — a major northwest Columbus suburban community (Upper Arlington is one of Columbus's most prestigious inner-ring suburbs — a primarily residential upper-income community directly adjacent to Ohio State University's northwest campus boundary, consistently ranking among the most desirable communities in Ohio for public education and quality of life), home of one of the most successful Ohio high school football programs historically (Upper Arlington High School has had one of the most successful football programs in Ohio prep sports history), an affluent Franklin County community with a significant OSU faculty, medical, and legal professional population, and a community with strong arts and cultural institutions — draws its municipal water supply via the City of Columbus Division of Water. Water hardness in Upper Arlington measures 209.5 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Upper Arlington's very hard supply reflects the central Ohio Silurian–Devonian carbonate platform geology. The Scioto River at Upper Arlington–Franklin County draws from: the Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly calcareous dolomite of the central Ohio Platform); the Devonian Delaware Limestone and Ohio Shale (calcareous limestone and shale); and the Wisconsin Age calcareous Columbus–Franklin County till (carbonate-rich glacial till from the Erie Lobe). Columbus Division of Water applies partial softening, producing the very hard 209.5 mg/L.
At 209.5 mg/L, Upper Arlington residents face severe hard water challenges. Weekly descaling and appliance protection measures are strongly recommended. Columbus Division of Water consistently delivers water meeting all Ohio EPA and federal EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Scioto River (Columbus water system) via the City of Columbus Division of Water — the Franklin County northwest Columbus suburban corridor (Devonian Ohio Shale and Delaware Limestone and Silurian Niagaran Dolomite of the central Ohio Silurian–Devonian platform; Columbus water treatment and distribution to Upper Arlington Franklin County zone); very hard supply at 209.5 mg/L in Franklin County.