Elmwood Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
380.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.45
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 Elmwood, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Elmwood | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -53% |
| Washing Machine | 7.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -39% |
| Water Heater | 8.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -41% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Elmwood compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Elmwood, Pennsylvania | 169.5 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Paschall, Pennsylvania | 162.5 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Kingsessing, Pennsylvania | 96 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Cobbs Creek, Pennsylvania | 141.5 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Grays Ferry, Pennsylvania | 198 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Elmwood compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Elmwood | 169.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Elmwood's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Elmwood, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County — a Philadelphia County neighborhood adjacent to Eastwick and Kingsessing in southwest Philadelphia — receives its municipal water from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), drawing from the Schuylkill River (Queen Lane WTP) or the Delaware River (Baxter WTP) depending on the southwest Philadelphia distribution zone assignment.
The very hard 169.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 380.2 mg/L are among the harder Philadelphia neighborhood readings (similar to Nicetown-Tioga: 197.5 mg/L, harder than University City: 112.5 mg/L). Southwest Philadelphia's Elmwood receives a higher proportion of the calcareous Schuylkill River supply — which drains the Ordovician Nittany Dolomite and Triassic Newark Basin Brunswick Formation (calcareous redbeds), producing the elevated hardness in this zone.
At 169.5 mg/L, Elmwood's water is very hard — scale builds rapidly in kettles and appliances, a water softener is strongly recommended, and water heaters require annual descaling. The PFAS level of 8.7 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Philadelphia southwest industrial waterfront (Philadelphia Navy Yard AFFF), Philadelphia International Airport (AFFF — directly adjacent to Elmwood), and the Delaware Valley PFAS complex contribute to Elmwood's very elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Elmwood in Philadelphia County draws from Philadelphia Water Department on the Schuylkill River or Delaware River (Philadelphia County) — the Schuylkill drains the Pennsylvania Appalachians (Ordovician Nittany Dolomite, Triassic Brunswick calcareous) — Pennsylvania Philadelphia Schuylkill-Delaware watershed produces very hard water at 169.5 mg/L with TDS 380.2 mg/L in this Philadelphia County Pennsylvania neighborhood.