How does Damascus's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Damascus (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Damascus Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

236.5 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Damascus	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Damascus compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Damascus, Oregon	≈ 120–179 mg/L	2.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Happy Valley, Oregon	≈ 0–60 mg/L	8.6 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Gresham, Oregon	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Lents, Oregon	≈ 0–60 mg/L	1.7 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Gladstone, Oregon	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Damascus compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Damascus	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Damascus's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 236.5 mg/LpH: 7.2

Residents of Damascus, Oregon, currently lack readily available public water quality reports. This means specific details about their water source, such as which reservoirs or aquifers are tapped, and the names of any treatment facilities are not accessible online. Without official documentation from a utility like Clackamas River Water or city records, pinpointing the exact origin of the Damascus water supply remains undetermined. Further investigation directly with local authorities would be necessary to identify the precise sources.

The geology underlying Damascus is a mix of Eocene Cascade basalt and Pleistocene Portland Hills Silt. The basalt is largely insoluble, meaning it doesn't easily dissolve into the water. However, the Portland Hills Silt contains some calcium carbonate, making it slightly calcareous. This combination of insoluble rock and slightly calcareous sediment typically results in moderately hard water, with a measurable level of total dissolved solids.

Homeowners in Damascus might notice the effects of moderately hard water on their appliances and plumbing over time. Mineral buildup, often referred to as scale, can form inside pipes and in water heaters, potentially reducing their efficiency and lifespan. Dishes washed in a dishwasher might show spots, and soap may not lather as easily. Regular descaling of appliances like coffee makers and kettles can help mitigate these issues. If the hardness is significant, a water softener could be a worthwhile investment for households.

Geology & Source: Cascade basalt and Portland Hills Silt; insoluble basalt and slightly calcareous silt produce moderately hard water

Other Oregon Water Reports

Happy Valley

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Gresham

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Lents

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Gladstone

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Damascus's water safe to drink?

Yes. Damascus's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Damascus?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Damascus's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Damascus compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Damascus (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Damascus is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.