Back Mountain Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) serves Back Mountain, an unincorporated community in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, as part of the greater Wilkes-Barre area service zone encompassing Dallas and Harveys Lake regions. The utility draws from multiple groundwater sources, including wells tapping into local aquifers rather than surface reservoirs. While no specific treatment plants are named for Back Mountain, PAWC operates regional facilities employing filtration, disinfection, and corrosion control. The service area covers rural and suburban zones with a population of approximately 27,000.

The water originates from Susquehanna River Basin northern tributaries, with groundwater recharge from the Harveys Lake and Bowman's Creek drainages. Underlying geology features Devonian shale, sandstone, and scattered carbonate rocks of the Appalachian Basin, with the regional aquifer consisting of unconsolidated glacial deposits from the Wisconsinan glaciation overlying fractured bedrock of the Pocono Plateau. Limestone outcrops and dolomitic formations in the Catskill and Pocono Groups dissolve calcium and magnesium during subsurface flow, imparting a hard character typical of the area's karst-influenced groundwater systems.

Very hard water causes significant scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency by up to 30% and increasing energy costs. Laundry feels stiff, soap lathers poorly, and fixtures develop white deposits. Monthly vinegar descaling of showerheads and faucets, annual heater flushes, and high-efficiency detergents are recommended. A water softener is strongly recommended to extend appliance life, as PAWC does not soften at the treatment level. Water quality meets EPA standards with pH typically 7.2–7.8; lead and copper compliance is achieved via corrosion inhibitors, and naturally occurring iron and manganese are managed via aeration and filtration.