Ardmore Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
184.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.29
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 Ardmore, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Ardmore | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -29% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 11.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -25% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Ardmore compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ardmore, Pennsylvania | 108 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Havertown, Pennsylvania | 208 mg/L | 10.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Overbrook, Pennsylvania | 159.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania | 160 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Haddington, Pennsylvania | 204 mg/L | 10.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Ardmore compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ardmore | 108 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Ardmore's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Ardmore, Pennsylvania, in Montgomery County — a Montgomery County unincorporated community adjacent to Lower Merion and Haverford in southeast Pennsylvania — receives its water from the Philadelphia Water system, drawing from the Schuylkill River or Delaware River (Montgomery County) through the southeast Pennsylvania distribution.
The moderately hard 108 mg/L hardness and TDS of 184.1 mg/L reflect the southeast Pennsylvania Montgomery County Schuylkill supply's moderate calcareous character — comparable to Weigelstown PA (101/195) in York County on the Codorus Creek supply, the Ordovician Conestoga Formation calcareous and Precambrian Wissahickon Schist insoluble contacts produce moderate water in the Philadelphia water supply zone (compare West Mount Airy PA: 145/327 in Philadelphia County on the Philadelphia Water harder). The Schuylkill River at Montgomery County — Ordovician Conestoga Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Precambrian Wissahickon Schist (insoluble — primary dilutant), and Quaternary Schuylkill alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 108 mg/L with TDS 184, Ardmore's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Montgomery County southeast Pennsylvania industrial corridor contribute to Ardmore's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Ardmore in Montgomery County draws from the Philadelphia Water on the Schuylkill River (Montgomery County, southeast Pennsylvania) — the Schuylkill watershed at Montgomery County drains the Pennsylvania Piedmont (Ordovician Conestoga Formation — calcareous) and Precambrian Wissahickon Schist (insoluble) — Pennsylvania Montgomery County Schuylkill River Ordovician-Precambrian supply produces moderately hard water at 108 mg/L with TDS 184.1 mg/L.