Grays Ferry Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
493.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.53
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 Grays Ferry, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Grays Ferry | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -64% |
| Washing Machine | 6.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -48% |
| Water Heater | 7.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -49% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Grays Ferry compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Grays Ferry, Pennsylvania | 198 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Point Breeze, Pennsylvania | 176 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| University City, Pennsylvania | 112.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Rittenhouse, Pennsylvania | 188 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Lower Moyamensing, Pennsylvania | 202.5 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Grays Ferry compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Grays Ferry | 198 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Grays Ferry home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Grays Ferry's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Grays Ferry, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County — a Philadelphia County neighborhood adjacent to Point Breeze and Passyunk Square on the Schuylkill River in south Philadelphia — receives its water from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), drawing from the Schuylkill River (Philadelphia County) through the Philadelphia distribution.
The very hard 198 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 493.8 mg/L reflect the southeast Pennsylvania Schuylkill River supply's hard character — consistent with other Philadelphia PWD Schuylkill-served neighborhoods (South Philadelphia: ~195 mg/L; Southwest Philadelphia: ~200 mg/L). The Schuylkill River at Philadelphia drains the Reading Prong and Triassic Basin — Triassic Stockton Formation (calcareous arkose — primary hardness contributor), Triassic Brunswick Formation (calcareous redbed), Precambrian Reading Prong Gneiss (insoluble), and Cambrian-Ordovician Conestoga Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor). The Triassic calcareous and Cambrian limestone produce the very hard Philadelphia supply.
At 198 mg/L with TDS 494, Grays Ferry's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended. Scale builds rapidly on all surfaces, appliance lifespans are significantly shortened, and water heaters require annual descaling. The PFAS level of 10.2 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Naval Air Station Willow Grove (Montgomery County — AFFF), Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (legacy AFFF), and the Schuylkill River industrial PFAS corridor contribute to Grays Ferry's very elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Grays Ferry in Philadelphia County draws from the Philadelphia Water Department on the Schuylkill River (Philadelphia County, southeast Pennsylvania) — the Schuylkill drains the Reading Prong (Precambrian Pickering Gneiss — insoluble, Triassic Stockton Formation — calcareous) — Pennsylvania Philadelphia County Schuylkill River Triassic calcareous watershed produces very hard water at 198 mg/L with TDS 493.8 mg/L.