Ephrata 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
184.7 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 Ephrata, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Ephrata | 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 Ephrata compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ephrata, Pennsylvania | 108 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 135.5 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Lebanon, Pennsylvania | 158.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Reading, Pennsylvania | 153 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Coatesville, Pennsylvania | 140 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Ephrata compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ephrata | 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 Ephrata's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Ephrata, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County — a Lancaster County borough adjacent to Lancaster and Akron in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country — receives its water from the Ephrata Borough Water, drawing from Lake Reiff or the Great Valley Limestone aquifer (Lancaster County) through the southeast Pennsylvania distribution.
The moderately hard 108 mg/L hardness and TDS of 184.7 mg/L reflect the southeast Pennsylvania Lancaster County supply's moderate calcareous character — reflecting the Cambrian Conestoga Limestone and Ordovician Beekmantown Dolomite of the Great Valley carbonate sequence, typical of the Lancaster County Pennsylvania Dutch Country limestone karst geology. The Lancaster County aquifer at Ephrata — Cambrian Conestoga Limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Beekmantown Dolomite (dolomitic — secondary contributor), and Cambrian Chickies Quartzite (insoluble — dilutant).
At 108 mg/L, Ephrata's water is moderately hard — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Lancaster County southeast Pennsylvania industrial corridor and the Susquehanna River basin legacy contribute to Ephrata's readings.
Geology & Source: Ephrata in Lancaster County draws from the Ephrata Borough Water on Lake Reiff or local Great Valley Limestone aquifer (Lancaster County, southeast Pennsylvania) — the aquifer is developed in Cambrian Conestoga Limestone (calcareous) and Ordovician Beekmantown Dolomite — Pennsylvania Lancaster County Great Valley Cambrian-Ordovician calcareous limestone aquifer produces moderately hard water at 108 mg/L with TDS 184.7 mg/L.