Nanticoke Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
377.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.45
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 Nanticoke, your appliances are currently losing 22% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Nanticoke | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -53% |
| Washing Machine | 7.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -38% |
| Water Heater | 8.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -41% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Nanticoke compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Nanticoke, Pennsylvania | 168.5 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Kingston, Pennsylvania | 91.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania | 93 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Back Mountain, Pennsylvania | 124.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Mountain Top, Pennsylvania | 151.5 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Nanticoke compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Nanticoke | 168.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Nanticoke's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, in Luzerne County — a Luzerne County city adjacent to Wilkes-Barre and Plymouth on the Susquehanna River in northeast Pennsylvania — receives its water from Pennsylvania American Water, drawing from the Susquehanna River through the northeast Pennsylvania distribution.
The hard 168.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 377.4 mg/L reflect the Luzerne County supply's hard Appalachian Plateau character — the Devonian Catskill Formation and Mississippian Pocono Formation are slightly calcareous formations in the northeast Pennsylvania Appalachian Plateau; the North Branch Susquehanna acquires substantial dissolved mineral content from its coal and limestone drainage in the Wyoming Valley (compare Wilkes-Barre PA: 164/367 in Luzerne County comparable; Plymouth PA: 172/387 in Luzerne County comparable; Nanticoke consistent hard from the same Luzerne County Susquehanna River Devonian supply). The Susquehanna at Luzerne County — Devonian Catskill Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Mississippian Pocono Formation (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Wyoming Valley alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 168.5 mg/L with TDS 377, Nanticoke's water is hard — scale builds in appliances. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review Pennsylvania American Water's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Nanticoke in Luzerne County draws from the Pennsylvania American Water on the Susquehanna River supply (Luzerne County, northeast Pennsylvania) — the North Branch Susquehanna at Luzerne County draws from Devonian Catskill Formation (slightly calcareous) and Mississippian Pocono Formation (slightly calcareous) — Pennsylvania Luzerne County Susquehanna River Devonian supply produces hard water at 168.5 mg/L with TDS 377.4 mg/L.