Johnstown Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
462.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.50
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 Johnstown, your appliances are currently losing 25% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Johnstown | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -60% |
| Washing Machine | 6.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -45% |
| Water Heater | 8 yrs | 15 yrs | -47% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Johnstown compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Johnstown, Pennsylvania | 189 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Indiana, Pennsylvania | 152 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Altoona, Pennsylvania | 90 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Greensburg, Pennsylvania | 138 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Cumberland, Maryland | 92.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Johnstown compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Johnstown | 189 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Johnstown's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in Cambria County — the Cambria County seat, famous for the catastrophic Great Johnstown Flood of 1889 (the deadliest dam failure in American history — the South Fork Dam collapse killed over 2,200 people), a historic iron and steel mill city that symbolizes the rise and fall of Appalachian Pennsylvania's industrial era — receives its municipal water from the Johnstown Municipal Authority, which draws from Hinckston Run Reservoir and the Stonycreek River in the Cambria County mountain valley system.
The moderately hard 189 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 462.6 mg/L reflect the Stonycreek-Hinckston Run watershed's Appalachian Plateau geology. The Stonycreek River drains the Allegheny Front and the Cambria County portion of the Appalachian Plateau — terrain underlain by the Pennsylvanian Conemaugh Group (calcareous shale, marine limestone lenses — including the Ames Limestone marine carbonate tongue), the Allegheny Group (coal measures with calcareous shale), and the Pottsville Formation. Coal mine drainage (historically a significant concern in Cambria County) adds iron and sulfate to the watershed, contributing to the elevated TDS alongside carbonate hardness.
At 189 mg/L, Johnstown's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 9.9 ppt is very high and warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Cambria County steel and industrial manufacturing legacy (Bethlehem Steel Johnstown Works), the Pennsylvania mining and manufacturing corridor, and the western Pennsylvania industrial PFAS complex contribute to Johnstown's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Johnstown in Cambria County draws from Johnstown Municipal Authority treating Hinckston Run Reservoir and the Stonycreek River — the Stonycreek drains the Allegheny Front (Pennsylvanian Conemaugh and Allegheny coal measures) — Appalachian Plateau Pennsylvanian carbonate and coal measures drainage produces moderately hard water at 189 mg/L with elevated TDS 463 mg/L in this Cambria County Pennsylvania city.