Columbus, OH water hardness

Columbus's tap water measures 120 ppm, which is moderately hard. The number comes from City of Columbus Division of Water's 2025 published data, measured at the tap.

Score

120 ppm

Moderately hard

Columbus shower water

Hardness bands per the U.S. Geological Survey.

120

Soft
0–60

Moderately hard
61–120

Hard
121–180

Very hard
181+

Source: City of Columbus Division of Water, 2025.

City of Columbus Division of Water softens this water at the plant with lime treatment before it reaches you. The number above is what arrives at your tap, not what the source water measures.

Elsewhere in Ohio, Dayton tests at 155 ppm and Cincinnati at 142 ppm.

What this means

What Columbus Water Means for Hair and Skin

Between 61 and 120 ppm, effects are mild and many people never notice them. If your fixtures stay clean and soap behaves, this level is not worth treating.

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