Hermitage Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
531.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.55
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 Hermitage, your appliances are currently losing 27% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hermitage | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -66% |
| Washing Machine | 6 yrs | 12 yrs | -50% |
| Water Heater | 7.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -51% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hermitage compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hermitage, Pennsylvania | 204.5 mg/L | 10.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Sharon, Pennsylvania | 84.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Youngstown, Ohio | 230.5 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| New Castle, Pennsylvania | 178 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Boardman, Ohio | 143.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Hermitage compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hermitage | 204.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Hermitage's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hermitage, Pennsylvania, in Mercer County — a Mercer County city adjacent to Sharon and Farrell in the Shenango Valley of west Pennsylvania — receives its municipal water from Pennsylvania American Water, drawing from the Shenango River (Mercer County) or Pymatuning Reservoir (Crawford County) through the west Pennsylvania water treatment system.
The very hard 204.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 531.8 mg/L are notably hard for western Pennsylvania — reflecting the Shenango Valley's calcareous Allegheny Plateau character (harder than Pittsburgh area supplies at ~130 mg/L). The Shenango River at Mercer County drains the Allegheny Plateau — Pennsylvanian Pottsville Formation (sandstone-shale), Mississippian Mauch Chunk and Maxville Limestone (calcareous — the primary hardness contributor), and Devonian Chemung Formation (calcareous shale). The Mississippian calcareous limestone input from the elevated Allegheny Plateau produces the very hard west Pennsylvania Shenango supply.
At 204.5 mg/L with TDS 532, Hermitage's water is very hard — scale builds steadily, dishwashers need rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 10.8 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Mercer County west Pennsylvania steel and industrial corridor (Shenango Valley steel industry PFAS legacy) and the western Pennsylvania industrial PFAS complex contribute to Hermitage's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Hermitage in Mercer County draws from Pennsylvania American Water on the Shenango River (Mercer County, west Pennsylvania) — the Shenango drains the Allegheny Plateau (Pennsylvanian Pottsville Formation, Mississippian Maxville Limestone — calcareous) — Pennsylvania Mercer County Shenango River Allegheny Plateau carbonate watershed produces very hard water at 204.5 mg/L with TDS 531.8 mg/L in this Mercer County Pennsylvania city.