Urbana Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
13.1 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
548.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.60
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 Urbana, your appliances are currently losing 30% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Urbana | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -74% |
| Washing Machine | 5.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -56% |
| Water Heater | 6.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -56% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Urbana compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Urbana, Ohio | 225 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Springfield, Ohio | 107.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Bellefontaine, Ohio | 253 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| London, Ohio | 230.5 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Fairborn, Ohio | 194 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Urbana compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Urbana | 225 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Urbana's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Urbana, Ohio, in Champaign County — a Champaign County city adjacent to Springfield and Mechanicsburg on the Mad River in west-central Ohio — receives its water from the City of Urbana Water Department, drawing from the Mad River through the west-central Ohio distribution.
The very hard 225 mg/L hardness and high TDS of 548.5 mg/L reflect the Champaign County Mad River supply's very hard calcareous character — the Ordovician Cincinnatian limestone and Silurian Niagaran Dolomite are both highly calcareous formations throughout the Mad River corridor of west-central Ohio (compare Springfield OH: 220/536 in Clark County comparable; Mechanicsburg OH: 228/558 in Champaign County comparable; Urbana consistent very hard from the same Champaign County Mad River Ordovician-Silurian calcareous supply). The Mad River watershed — Ordovician Cincinnatian limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Mad River alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 225 mg/L with TDS 549, Urbana's water is very hard — a water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.8 ppt is elevated — a certified drinking water filter is recommended — the Champaign County west-central Ohio agricultural and military (former Urbana Air Force Station) corridor contributes to Urbana's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Urbana in Champaign County draws from the City of Urbana Water on the Mad River (Champaign County, west-central Ohio) — the Mad River at Champaign County drains Ordovician Cincinnatian limestone (calcareous) and Silurian Niagaran Dolomite (highly dolomitic) — Ohio Champaign County Mad River Ordovician-Silurian calcareous supply produces very hard water at 225 mg/L with TDS 548.5 mg/L.