Cornelius Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
2.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
70.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.10
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 Cornelius, your appliances are currently losing 5% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cornelius | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -2% |
| Washing Machine | 12.2 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -6% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cornelius compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cornelius, Oregon | 38.5 mg/L | 1.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Forest Grove, Oregon | 91.5 mg/L | 2.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Hillsboro, Oregon | 54 mg/L | 1.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Aloha, Oregon | 68.5 mg/L | 2.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Bethany, Oregon | 71.5 mg/L | 2.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Cornelius compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cornelius | 38.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Cornelius's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cornelius, Oregon, in Washington County — a Washington County city adjacent to Forest Grove and Hillsboro in northwest Oregon — receives its water from the Tualatin Valley Water District, drawing from Hagg Lake reservoir (Washington County) through the northwest Oregon distribution.
The very soft 38.5 mg/L hardness and very low TDS of 70.9 mg/L reflect the northwest Oregon Washington County Tualatin-Hagg supply's very soft Coast Range character — the Eocene Coast Range basalt and Paleogene Tillamook Volcanics contribute insoluble dilution with minimal calcareous contact, among the softest water in Oregon (compare Agate Beach OR: 51/102 in Lincoln County slightly harder; Greenwood WA: 54/120 comparable; Cornelius among the very softest from the northwest Oregon Coast Range insoluble volcanic supply). The Tualatin-Hagg watershed at Washington County — Eocene Coast Range basalt (insoluble — primary dilutant), Paleogene Tillamook Volcanics (insoluble — secondary dilutant), and Quaternary Tualatin alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 38.5 mg/L, Cornelius' water is very soft — scale forms very slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and no softening is needed. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 1.6 ppt is very low — no filtration urgently required, warrants routine monitoring only. Cornelius' PFAS level is among the lowest in the dataset, reflecting its Pacific Northwest location.
Geology & Source: Cornelius in Washington County draws from the Tualatin Valley Water District on the Hagg Lake reservoir (Washington County, northwest Oregon) — the Tualatin-Hagg watershed at Washington County drains Eocene Coast Range basalt (insoluble) and Paleogene Tillamook Volcanics (insoluble) — Oregon Washington County Tualatin-Hagg Eocene insoluble Coast Range supply produces very soft water at 38.5 mg/L with TDS 70.9 mg/L.