Pike Creek Valley Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.4 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
237.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.25
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 Pike Creek Valley, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Pike Creek Valley | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -15% |
| Water Heater | 11.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Pike Creek Valley compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pike Creek Valley, Delaware | 93 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Hockessin, Delaware | 166 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Newark, Delaware | 81 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Brookside, Delaware | 101 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Landenberg, Pennsylvania | 100 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Pike Creek Valley compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pike Creek Valley | 93 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Pike Creek Valley's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Pike Creek Valley, Delaware, in New Castle County — a New Castle County unincorporated community adjacent to Newark and Glasgow in the Wilmington-Newark metro area — receives its water from Artesian Water Company or United Water Delaware, drawing from the Christina Formation Coastal Plain aquifer through the north Delaware distribution.
The soft 93 mg/L hardness and TDS of 237.4 mg/L reflect the New Castle County Coastal Plain supply's soft character — the Cretaceous Mount Laurel Formation is a largely insoluble glauconite sand, while the Cretaceous Merchantville Formation contributes modest calcareous mineral content from its marine clastic sediments (compare Newark DE: 91/231 in New Castle County comparable; Glasgow DE: 95/243 in New Castle County comparable; Pike Creek Valley consistent soft from the same New Castle County Christina Formation Cretaceous insoluble supply). The Christina Formation aquifer — Cretaceous Mount Laurel Formation (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cretaceous Merchantville Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Christina River alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 93 mg/L with TDS 237, Pike Creek Valley's water is soft — minimal scale buildup. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.8 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review Artesian Water's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Pike Creek Valley in New Castle County draws from the Artesian Water on the Christina Formation aquifer (New Castle County, north Delaware) — the New Castle County Coastal Plain draws from Cretaceous Mount Laurel Formation (insoluble) and Cretaceous Merchantville Formation (slightly calcareous) — Delaware New Castle County Christina Formation Cretaceous insoluble supply produces soft water at 93 mg/L with TDS 237.4 mg/L.