Hershey Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
12.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
550.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.56
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 Hershey, your appliances are currently losing 28% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hershey | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -68% |
| Washing Machine | 5.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -52% |
| Water Heater | 7.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -52% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hershey compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hershey, Pennsylvania | 210.5 mg/L | 10.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Colonial Park, Pennsylvania | 178.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | 177.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Lebanon, Pennsylvania | 158.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| York, Pennsylvania | 139.5 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Hershey compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hershey | 210.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Hershey's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hershey, Pennsylvania, in Dauphin County — an unincorporated Dauphin County community adjacent to Harrisburg and Palmyra in south-central Pennsylvania — receives its water from Pennsylvania American Water, drawing from Swatara Creek or the Susquehanna River (Dauphin County) through the south-central Pennsylvania distribution.
The very hard 210.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 550.6 mg/L reflect the south-central Pennsylvania Ridge-and-Valley supply's very hard calcareous-dolomitic character — consistent with other Dauphin County communities (Harrisburg: ~208 mg/L). The Swatara Creek watershed at Dauphin County drains the Pennsylvania Ridge and Valley — Ordovician Jacksonburg Limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Cambrian Allentown Dolomite (calcareous-dolomitic — secondary contributor), Cambrian Elbrook Formation (calcareous), and the Great Valley carbonate sequence.
At 210.5 mg/L with TDS 550, Hershey's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended. Scale builds rapidly on all surfaces, water heaters require annual descaling, and appliance lifespans are shortened without treatment. The PFAS level of 10.9 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Harrisburg International Airport (Dauphin County — AFFF) and the south-central Pennsylvania military-industrial corridor contribute to Hershey's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Hershey in Dauphin County draws from the Pennsylvania American Water on Swatara Creek (Dauphin County, south-central Pennsylvania) — the Swatara at Dauphin drains the Ridge and Valley (Ordovician Jacksonburg Limestone — calcareous, Cambrian Allentown Dolomite — calcareous-dolomitic) — Pennsylvania Dauphin County Swatara Creek Ridge-and-Valley calcareous watershed produces very hard water at 210.5 mg/L with TDS 550.6 mg/L.