Is cincinnati water hard or soft?

Cincinnati water is considered moderately hard to hard, not soft, due to mineral content from Ohio River source and limestone geology in region. Cincinnati's water comes primarily from Ohio River and is treated by Greater Cincinnati Water Works, and hardness varies by area and season but generally measures around 120 to 180 parts per million or 7 to 10 grains per gallon, which is classified as moderately hard to hard water. Hard water contains calcium and magnesium minerals that can cause scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and appliances, similar to needing filtration to maintain clean system, and can leave spots on dishes and make soap less effective. Cincinnati water hardness is not extremely hard like some Midwest well water that can be 20 grains, but it is not soft either, as soft water is under 60 ppm or under 3.5 grains. Many Cincinnati residents use water softeners to reduce hardness and prevent scale, especially for protecting water heaters and improving soap lather. The water meets EPA standards and is safe to drink, but hardness is noticeable in homes with white scale on faucets. So Cincinnati water is moderately hard to hard, not soft, and you may want water softener if you notice scale buildup or dry skin, as softening improves appliance life and cleaning efficiency.