Damascus Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
236.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.25
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 Damascus, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Damascus | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -16% |
| Water Heater | 11.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Damascus compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Damascus, Oregon | 94 mg/L | 2.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Happy Valley, Oregon | 107.5 mg/L | 2.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Gresham, Oregon | 81 mg/L | 2.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Lents, Oregon | 48.5 mg/L | 1.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Gladstone, Oregon | 40.5 mg/L | 1.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Damascus compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Damascus | 94 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Damascus's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Damascus, Oregon, in Clackamas County — a Clackamas County city adjacent to Happy Valley and Boring east of Portland in northwest Oregon — receives its water from Clackamas River Water or Portland Water Bureau, drawing from the Clackamas River through the northwest Oregon distribution.
The moderately hard 94 mg/L hardness and TDS of 236.5 mg/L reflect the Clackamas County supply's moderate volcanic-glacial character — the Eocene Cascade basalt is largely insoluble, while Pleistocene Portland Hills Silt contributes moderate calcareous mineral content from its glacially-deposited calcareous loess (compare Happy Valley OR: 91/229 in Clackamas County comparable; Boring OR: 96/242 in Clackamas County comparable; Damascus consistent moderate from the same Clackamas County Clackamas River Eocene basalt supply). The Clackamas watershed — Eocene Cascade basalt (insoluble — primary dilutant), Pleistocene Portland Hills Silt (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Clackamas alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 94 mg/L with TDS 237, Damascus' water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 2.6 ppt is very low — an excellent result for the Portland metro. Review Clackamas River Water's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Damascus in Clackamas County draws from the Clackamas River Water on the Clackamas River (Clackamas County, northwest Oregon) — the Clackamas watershed drains Eocene Cascade basalt (insoluble) and Pleistocene Portland Hills Silt (slightly calcareous) — Oregon Clackamas County Clackamas River Eocene basalt supply produces moderately hard water at 94 mg/L with TDS 236.5 mg/L.