Lower Burrell Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
171.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.27
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 Lower Burrell, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lower Burrell | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -26% |
| Washing Machine | 9.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -18% |
| Water Heater | 11.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lower Burrell compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania | 101.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| New Kensington, Pennsylvania | 183.5 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Plum, Pennsylvania | 90 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania | 167 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Penn Hills, Pennsylvania | 161.5 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Lower Burrell compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lower Burrell | 101.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Lower Burrell's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, in Westmoreland County — a Westmoreland County city adjacent to Tarentum and Vandergrift on the Kiskiminetas River in southwest Pennsylvania — receives its water from Pennsylvania American Water, drawing from the Kiskiminetas River through the southwest Pennsylvania distribution.
The moderately hard 101.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 171.3 mg/L reflect the Westmoreland County Kiskiminetas supply's moderate character — the Pennsylvanian Pittsburgh Formation and Devonian Catskill Formation are both slightly calcareous clastic formations in the Pennsylvania Appalachian Plateau, contributing modest dissolved minerals (compare Tarentum PA: 99/166 in Allegheny County comparable; Vandergrift PA: 104/176 in Westmoreland County comparable; Lower Burrell consistent moderate from the same Westmoreland County Kiskiminetas River Pennsylvanian supply). The Kiskiminetas watershed — Pennsylvanian Pittsburgh Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Devonian Catskill Formation (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Kiskiminetas alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 101.5 mg/L with TDS 171, Lower Burrell's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup over time. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.3 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review Pennsylvania American Water's annual water quality report for the latest contaminant data.
Geology & Source: Lower Burrell in Westmoreland County draws from Pennsylvania American Water on the Kiskiminetas River (Westmoreland County, southwest Pennsylvania) — the Kiskiminetas watershed drains Pennsylvanian Pittsburgh Formation (slightly calcareous) and Devonian Catskill Formation (slightly calcareous) — Pennsylvania Westmoreland County Kiskiminetas River Pennsylvanian supply produces moderately hard water at 101.5 mg/L with TDS 171.3 mg/L.