How does Fishtown's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Fishtown (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Fishtown 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

420.1 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 Fishtown, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Fishtown	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 Fishtown compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Fishtown, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
West Kensington, Pennsylvania	144 mg/L	6.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Hartranft, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Center City, Pennsylvania	97 mg/L	8 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	reservoir
Washington Square, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Fishtown compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Fishtown	≈ 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 Fishtown's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 420.1 mg/LpH: 7.2

Philadelphia Water Department supplies Fishtown, a neighborhood in Kensington, North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, serving over 2 million city residents. The primary source for Fishtown is the Delaware River, with water treated at the Baxter Water Treatment Plant. The Schuylkill River also contributes, processed at the Queen Lane and Belmont Water Treatment Plants. PWD manages a vast distribution network to deliver this water throughout the city.

The rivers traverse the Appalachian Piedmont, flowing over ancient metamorphic and igneous rocks like gneiss and schist from the Wissahickon Formation. Interspersed within these formations are layers of dolomitic marble and calc-schist from the Chickies Supergroup. This bedrock geology naturally leaches minerals such as calcium and magnesium into the water, particularly from carbonate-rich layers, resulting in a moderately hard water supply.

This moderately hard water can lead to limescale buildup in appliances like coffee makers, dishwashers, and water heaters, potentially reducing their efficiency and lifespan. You might notice clogging in faucets and showerheads, which diminishes water flow. Regular descaling with vinegar can help manage this buildup. For homes experiencing frequent scaling, installing a water softener is often recommended to protect appliances and improve how soap lathers. PWD's treatment process includes corrosion control using orthophosphate, and they report typical pH levels between 7.0 and 8.5, ensuring compliance with EPA standards.

Geology & Source: Piedmont metamorphic terrain; Glenarm and Wissahickon Formations, gneiss, schist, quartzite, limestone, dolomite lenses produce moderate to hard water

Other Pennsylvania Water Reports

West Kensington

144 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Hartranft

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Center City

97 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Washington Square

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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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 Fishtown's water safe to drink?

Yes. Fishtown'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 Fishtown?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Fishtown'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 Fishtown compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Fishtown (≈ 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 Fishtown 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.