Girard Estate Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
466.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.51
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 Girard Estate, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Girard Estate | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -61% |
| Washing Machine | 6.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -46% |
| Water Heater | 7.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -47% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Girard Estate compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Girard Estate, Pennsylvania | 191.5 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Point Breeze, Pennsylvania | 176 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Grays Ferry, Pennsylvania | 198 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Southwest Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 86 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Lower Moyamensing, Pennsylvania | 202.5 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Girard Estate compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Girard Estate | 191.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Girard Estate's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Girard Estate, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County — a Philadelphia County neighborhood adjacent to South Philadelphia and Grays Ferry in the inner southwest Philadelphia neighborhoods — receives its water from the Philadelphia Water Department, drawing from the Schuylkill River through the southeast Pennsylvania distribution.
The hard 191.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 466.5 mg/L are elevated compared to typical Philadelphia supply averages — the Cambrian Chickies Formation and Triassic Newark Formation contribute significant calcareous mineral content to the Schuylkill watershed, and the Girard Estate distribution zone may reflect localized aquifer blending or higher-hardness groundwater contribution (compare South Philadelphia PA: 186/454 in Philadelphia County comparable; Grays Ferry PA: 196/478 in Philadelphia County comparable; Girard Estate consistent hard from the same Philadelphia County Schuylkill River Cambrian calcareous supply). The Schuylkill watershed at Philadelphia — Cambrian Chickies Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Triassic Newark Formation (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Schuylkill alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 191.5 mg/L with TDS 467, Girard Estate's water is hard — scale builds notably in appliances. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 9.8 ppt is very elevated — a certified filter with PFAS removal is strongly recommended — the Philadelphia County Schuylkill River industrial legacy and former military sites contribute to Girard Estate's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Girard Estate in Philadelphia County draws from Philadelphia Water on the Schuylkill River (Philadelphia County, southeast Pennsylvania) — the Schuylkill at Philadelphia drains Cambrian Chickies Formation (calcareous) and Triassic Newark Formation (slightly calcareous) — Pennsylvania Philadelphia County Schuylkill River Cambrian calcareous supply produces hard water at 191.5 mg/L with TDS 466.5 mg/L.