Weirton Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.4 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
486.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.52
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 Weirton Heights, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Weirton Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -62% |
| Washing Machine | 6.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -47% |
| Water Heater | 7.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -48% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Weirton Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Weirton Heights, West Virginia | 194.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Weirton, West Virginia | 194 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Steubenville, Ohio | 110 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Washington, Pennsylvania | 150 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Wheeling, West Virginia | 197 mg/L | 8.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Weirton Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Weirton Heights | 194.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Weirton Heights home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Weirton Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Weirton Heights, West Virginia, in Hancock County — an unincorporated Hancock County community adjacent to Weirton in the West Virginia Northern Panhandle, part of the Weirton-Steubenville metro area on the Ohio River, site of the former Weirton Steel (now ArcelorMittal Weirton) — receives its municipal water from the Weirton Utility Board, drawing from the Ohio River at the Weirton water treatment plant in the West Virginia Northern Panhandle.
The moderately hard 194.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 486.2 mg/L reflect the Ohio River at Weirton's extensive Appalachian watershed chemistry. The Ohio River at Weirton drains the entire upper Ohio basin — western Pennsylvania (Pennsylvanian Pittsburgh Coal Formation, Monongahela and Allegheny coalfields), eastern Ohio (Mississippian and Pennsylvanian coal measures and limestone cyclothems), and northern West Virginia. Cumulative coal mine drainage (historical AMD from the Appalachian coalfields — elevated sulfate and carbonates) mixed with carbonate-leached water from the Mississippian limestone belt produces the moderately hard, elevated-TDS Ohio River at Weirton.
At 194.5 mg/L, Weirton Heights' water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.8 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Weirton Steel legacy industrial PFAS complex, upstream Pittsburgh industrial corridor, and the Ohio River PFAS corridor (known for extensive industrial PFAS contamination throughout the upper Ohio Valley) contribute to Weirton Heights' elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Weirton Heights in Hancock County draws from Weirton Utility Board on the Ohio River — the Ohio River at Weirton drains the Appalachian Plateau (Pennsylvanian and Mississippian coal measures, limestone, and shale from western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia) — Appalachian Plateau coal measures and carbonate Ohio River drainage produces moderately hard water at 194.5 mg/L with elevated TDS 486 mg/L in this Hancock County West Virginia community.