Allegheny West Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
132.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.23
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 Allegheny West, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Allegheny West | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -21% |
| Washing Machine | 10.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Allegheny West compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Allegheny West, Pennsylvania | 87 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Nicetown-Tioga, Pennsylvania | 197.5 mg/L | 10.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Strawberry Mansion, Pennsylvania | 95.5 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Logan, Pennsylvania | 88.5 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Hunting Park, Pennsylvania | 141 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Allegheny West compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Allegheny West | 87 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Allegheny West's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Allegheny West, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County — a Philadelphia County neighborhood adjacent to Bridesburg and Frankford in northeast Philadelphia — receives its water from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), drawing from the Schuylkill River (Philadelphia County) through the Philadelphia distribution.
The moderately hard 87 mg/L hardness and TDS of 132.1 mg/L reflect the southeast Pennsylvania Philadelphia Schuylkill River supply's moderate crystalline character — one of the softer supplies in the region, driven by the Schuylkill's largely insoluble Precambrian Wissahickon Schist watershed with limited calcareous geology. The Schuylkill River at Philadelphia drains the Pennsylvania Piedmont and Reading Prong — Precambrian Wissahickon Schist (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Chickies Quartzite (insoluble), Cambrian Conestoga Limestone (calcareous — minor hardness contributor), and Precambrian gneiss and schist (insoluble).
At 87 mg/L, Allegheny West's water is moderately hard — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Philadelphia metro industrial corridor and the Schuylkill River upstream industrial legacy contribute to Allegheny West's readings.
Geology & Source: Allegheny West in Philadelphia County draws from the Philadelphia Water Department on the Schuylkill River (Philadelphia County, southeast Pennsylvania) — the Schuylkill drains the Reading Prong (Precambrian Wissahickon Schist — insoluble) and minor Cambrian calcareous formations — Pennsylvania Philadelphia County Schuylkill River Precambrian crystalline watershed produces moderately hard water at 87 mg/L with TDS 132.1 mg/L.