Colonial Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
417.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.48
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 Colonial Park, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Colonial Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -56% |
| Washing Machine | 7 yrs | 12 yrs | -42% |
| Water Heater | 8.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Colonial Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Colonial Park, Pennsylvania | 178.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | 177.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hershey, Pennsylvania | 210.5 mg/L | 10.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Weigelstown, Pennsylvania | 122.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| York, Pennsylvania | 139.5 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Colonial Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Colonial Park | 178.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Colonial Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Colonial Park, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County — a Dauphin County community adjacent to Harrisburg and Hershey in south-central Pennsylvania — receives its water from Pennsylvania American Water, drawing from the Susquehanna River or DeHart Reservoir (Dauphin County) through the Harrisburg metro distribution.
The hard 178.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 417.5 mg/L reflect the south-central Pennsylvania Dauphin County Susquehanna supply's hard calcareous character — driven by the Ridge and Valley Ordovician limestone and Silurian Clinton Group calcareous formations across the Susquehanna watershed, consistent with the central Pennsylvania Ridge and Valley communities (compare Dunmore PA: 177.5/411.5; Butler PA: 181.5/433.7). The Susquehanna-DeHart supply at Dauphin County — Silurian Clinton Group limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Bald Eagle Formation (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Devonian Hamilton Group (insoluble — dilutant).
At 178.5 mg/L with TDS 418, Colonial Park's water is hard. A water softener is recommended to prevent scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 9.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Dauphin County Harrisburg metro industrial corridor contribute to Colonial Park's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Colonial Park in Dauphin County draws from the Pennsylvania American Water on the Susquehanna River or DeHart Reservoir (Dauphin County, south-central Pennsylvania) — the Susquehanna-DeHart watershed drains the Ridge and Valley (Ordovician Bald Eagle Formation — slightly calcareous) and Silurian Clinton Group (calcareous) — Pennsylvania Dauphin County Susquehanna-DeHart Silurian-Ordovician calcareous supply produces hard water at 178.5 mg/L with TDS 417.5 mg/L.