1
With a hardness of 8.5 GPG, Dayton residents may notice white scale on faucets. Hard water increases maintenance costs.
2
PFAS have been identified in Dayton's water at 2 parts per trillion. A reverse osmosis system is the most reliable home treatment.
3
Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Dayton's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

64 /100

Moderate

"Good" threshold (70)

Dayton tap water is sourced from Mad River and Great Miami River and treated by City of Dayton Water. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected. Water hardness is hard at 8.5 GPG which may cause scale buildup. Overall purity score: 64/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

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Best filters matched to Dayton's 4 issues.

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MATCHED TO DAYTON'S WATER DATA

Best Water Filters for Dayton, OH (2026)

Matched to PFAS Detected, Hard Water (8.5 GPG), Moderate Chlorine in Dayton.

PFAS Detected Hard Water (8.5 GPG) Moderate Chlorine

Best Overall #1 for Dayton

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Pitcher Filter

$80-95

Why this fits Dayton

Removes 99%+ of PFAS detected in Dayton's water
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Dayton's water
NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI 53 + NSF/ANSI 401 certified

Pros & Cons +

No installation fill and pour

Removes 365+ contaminants including PFAS

Small capacity 2-3 people

Filter replacements every 4 months

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Best for PFAS

Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO

Tankless Reverse Osmosis

$380-450

Why this fits Dayton

Removes 99%+ of PFAS detected in Dayton's water
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Dayton's water
NSF/ANSI 58 + NSF 372 certified

Pros & Cons +

No tank saves cabinet space

800 GPD fast flow rate

Higher upfront cost

Filter replacements are proprietary

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Best for Taste

APEC Water Systems ROES-50

Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis

$195-220

Why this fits Dayton

Removes 99%+ of PFAS detected in Dayton's water
Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Dayton's water
NSF/ANSI 58 certified

Pros & Cons +

5-stage filtration removes 99%+ of contaminants

Long-lasting filters (6-12 month replacement)

Requires under-sink installation

Wastes some water during filtration

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Best Value

Waterdrop 10UA Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Carbon Filter

$40-60

Why this fits Dayton

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Dayton's water
NSF/ANSI 42 certified
Budget-friendly at $40-60

Pros & Cons +

Very affordable

Easy DIY install no plumber

Does not remove PFAS or hardness

Single point of use only

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As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap may earn from qualifying purchases. Based on latest Dayton water data.

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City data shows averages. Your home may differ.

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Dayton Water FAQ

Is Dayton OH tap water safe to drink in 2026?

Dayton tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 64/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected at 2.0 ppt. An NSF-certified filter is strongly recommended. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.

Does Dayton OH use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?

Dayton uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.5 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.

How hard is Dayton OH water and what is the TDS level?

Dayton water hardness is 8.5 grains per gallon (hard) with a TDS of 295 ppm (fair). This level causes noticeable scale buildup in water heaters kettles and dishwashers. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and reduce soap usage.

Has PFAS been found in Dayton OH drinking water?

Yes. PFAS forever chemicals have been detected in Dayton water at approximately 2.0 ppt according to EPA UCMR5 monitoring data. A reverse osmosis or NSF P473-certified filter is the most effective residential solution.

What is the best water filter for Dayton?

Based on Dayton's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Dayton: PFAS detected or elevated lead risk. Reverse osmosis is the only residential technology proven to reduce both below detection limits. TDS will also drop significantly.

Nearby Reports

ToledoOhio — 59/100 CincinnatiOhio — 64/100 ClevelandOhio — 77/100 YoungstownOhio — 77/100 CantonOhio — 78/100 ColumbusOhio — 79/100

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Data Sources

EPA SDWIS
EWG Tap Water Database
City of Dayton Water CCR
USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

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