Franklin Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
450.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.49
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 Franklin Park, your appliances are currently losing 25% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Franklin Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -59% |
| Washing Machine | 6.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -44% |
| Water Heater | 8.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Franklin Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Franklin Park, Pennsylvania | 185.5 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania | 201.5 mg/L | 10.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Fernway, Pennsylvania | 139.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Allison Park, Pennsylvania | 86.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | 118 mg/L | 11.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Franklin Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Franklin Park | 185.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Franklin Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Franklin Park, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County — an Allegheny County borough adjacent to Pittsburgh and McCandless in the north Pittsburgh metro — receives its water from Pennsylvania American Water, drawing from the Ohio River (Allegheny County) through the Pittsburgh metro distribution.
The hard 185.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 450.6 mg/L reflect the southwest Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Ohio River supply's hard Allegheny Plateau calcareous character — harder than the Westmoreland County communities (Greensburg: 138 mg/L) due to the cumulative drainage of both the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers into the Ohio at Pittsburgh. The Ohio River at Pittsburgh drains the Allegheny Plateau — Devonian Hamilton Group (calcareous shale — primary hardness contributor), Pennsylvanian Allegheny Formation (slightly calcareous), Pennsylvanian Pittsburgh Coal Formation (slightly calcareous), and Mississippian Greenbrier Limestone (calcareous — from the upper Monongahela drainage).
At 185.5 mg/L, Franklin Park's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 9.8 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Pittsburgh International Airport (Allegheny County — AFFF) and the southwest Pennsylvania Pittsburgh industrial corridor contribute to Franklin Park's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Franklin Park in Allegheny County draws from the Pennsylvania American Water on the Ohio River (Allegheny County, southwest Pennsylvania) — the Ohio at Pittsburgh drains the Allegheny Plateau (Devonian Hamilton Group — calcareous, Pennsylvanian Allegheny Formation — slightly calcareous) — Pennsylvania Allegheny County Ohio River Allegheny Plateau calcareous watershed produces hard water at 185.5 mg/L with TDS 450.6 mg/L.