Colonial Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

147 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Colonial Park	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Colonial Park compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Colonial Park, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	28.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Hershey, Pennsylvania	86 mg/L	10.9 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	groundwater
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania	≈ 180+ mg/L	79.8 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
Weigelstown, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Colonial Park compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Colonial Park	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Colonial Park's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 147 mg/LpH: 7.2

Colonial Park receives its drinking water from Pennsylvania American Water, a major utility serving central Pennsylvania. The primary source is the DeHart Dam and Reservoir located in the Clarks Valley. Water drawn from this reservoir is treated at the Clarks Valley Treatment Plant before distribution to communities like Colonial Park in Dauphin County. Pennsylvania American Water manages extensive infrastructure, investing significantly each year in system reliability to serve residents.

The Clarks Valley watershed is underlain by Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, specifically Devonian-age shale, siltstone, and sandstone formations. These rock types weather and release minerals into the surface water. Influences from limestone in the nearby Ridge and Valley province further contribute to the mineral content. Because the water comes entirely from this surface reservoir and reflects the local Appalachian geology, it naturally exhibits a hard water profile with elevated calcium and magnesium.

Homeowners in Colonial Park may notice scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, which can reduce appliance efficiency and lifespan. White deposits might appear on kettles and faucets, and laundry could come out looking dingy. To combat these issues, regularly deliming appliances and flushing water heaters is advised. Installing a water softener is highly recommended for households to prevent mineral accumulation, improve soap effectiveness, and protect plumbing systems.

Geology & Source: Appalachian Mountain geology; Devonian shale, siltstone, sandstone; limestone influence from nearby Ridge and Valley province results in hard water

Other Pennsylvania Water Reports

Harrisburg

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Hershey

86 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Elizabethtown

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Weigelstown

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colonial Park's water safe to drink?

Yes. Colonial Park's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Colonial Park?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Colonial Park's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Colonial Park compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Colonial Park (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Colonial Park is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.