Wooster Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Wooster Utilities Department, known as Wooster City PWS, supplies drinking water to over 27,000 residents in Wooster, Ohio, within Wayne County. Water is drawn from groundwater aquifers at the South Wellfield, treated at the Water Treatment Facility at 1020 Old Columbus Road, commissioned in 1998. The utility is located at 538 North Market St., Wooster, OH 44691. Annual Consumer Confidence Reports are published at woosteroh.com/water/water-quality-reports, summarizing compliance with state and federal regulations.

The South Wellfield draws from a confined aquifer beneath glacial deposits in Wayne County, shielded by approximately 15 feet of low-permeability clay and till. Underlying Paleozoic limestones and dolomites from the Silurian–Devonian era — including the Brassfield and Columbus Limestone sequences — weather to release calcium and magnesium. This karst-influenced bedrock promotes elevated dissolved bicarbonates and sulfates, yielding a hard supply. Aquifer isolation limits organic pollutant intrusion but allows mineral accumulation over long residence times.

At moderately hard levels, scale buildup affects water heaters, dishwashers, faucets, and laundry machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan by 30–50%. White deposits on fixtures and spots on glassware are common, alongside soap scum. Regular vinegar descaling, low-flow aerators, and magnetic descalers help; a water softener is recommended to extend appliance life and reduce detergent use by up to 50%. The water meets EPA legal standards with an 'A' compliance grade; treatment employs lime-soda ash softening, and iron may cause staining.