Altoona Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
141.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.24
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 Altoona, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Altoona | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -22% |
| Washing Machine | 10.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -14% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Altoona compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Altoona, Pennsylvania | 90 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Johnstown, Pennsylvania | 189 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| State College, Pennsylvania | 193 mg/L | 10.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Indiana, Pennsylvania | 152 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Saint Marys, Pennsylvania | 140.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Altoona compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Altoona | 90 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Altoona's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Altoona, Pennsylvania, the Blair County seat in the Pennsylvania Ridge and Valley Province — a historic railroad city, once the most important railroad center in the United States (the Pennsylvania Railroad's Altoona Shops maintained the nation's railroad fleet — the largest railroad repair complex in the world in the early 20th century), home of Horseshoe Curve (a National Historic Landmark, the famous PRR engineering achievement of 1854), and a major Blair County manufacturing and healthcare community — draws its municipal water supply from the Frankstown Branch (Juniata River watershed) via the Altoona Water Authority. Water hardness in Altoona measures 90 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Altoona's moderate softness — surprisingly soft for a Pennsylvania Ridge and Valley city — reflects the Altoona Water Authority's treatment effectiveness with the Frankstown Branch supply. The Frankstown Branch Juniata River drains the Nittany Valley calcareous terrain (Ordovician Bellefonte Dolomite and Onondaga Limestone in the Valley and Ridge fold belt — highly calcareous in the valley floors). The Altoona Water Authority applies effective lime softening or coagulation treatment to the Frankstown Branch supply, reducing the inherently harder raw water to the moderate 90 mg/L delivered at Altoona household taps.
With hardness at 90 mg/L, Altoona residents enjoy moderately soft water. Altoona Water Authority consistently delivers water meeting all Pennsylvania DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Kettle Creek and Frankstown Branch (Juniata River watershed) via the Altoona Water Authority — the Blair County Pennsylvania Ridge and Valley Province (Ordovician calcareous limestone and dolomite of the Juniata–Nittany arch fold belt); moderately soft supply at 90 mg/L in Blair County.