Natrona Heights 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
377.8 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 Natrona Heights, your appliances are currently losing 22% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Natrona Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -52% |
| Washing Machine | 7.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -38% |
| Water Heater | 8.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -41% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Natrona Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania | 167 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| New Kensington, Pennsylvania | 183.5 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania | 101.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Plum, Pennsylvania | 90 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Penn Hills, Pennsylvania | 161.5 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Natrona Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Natrona Heights | 167 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Natrona Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County — an Allegheny County unincorporated community adjacent to Tarentum and New Kensington on the Allegheny River in southwest Pennsylvania — receives its water from Pennsylvania American Water, drawing from the Allegheny River through the southwest Pennsylvania distribution.
The hard 167 mg/L hardness and TDS of 377.8 mg/L reflect the Allegheny County supply's hard Appalachian Plateau character — the Pennsylvanian Allegheny Formation and Mississippian Loyalhanna Limestone are calcareous formations in the southwest Pennsylvania coal region, and the Allegheny River acquires substantial dissolved mineral content from its extensive limestone-coal measure drainage (compare Tarentum PA: 164/370 in Allegheny County comparable; New Kensington PA: 169/385 in Westmoreland County comparable; Natrona Heights consistent hard from the same Allegheny County Allegheny River calcareous supply). The Allegheny watershed — Pennsylvanian Allegheny Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Mississippian Loyalhanna Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Allegheny River alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 167 mg/L with TDS 378, Natrona Heights' water is hard — scale builds in appliances. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.8 ppt is elevated — a certified drinking water filter with PFAS removal is recommended. Review Pennsylvania American Water's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Natrona Heights in Allegheny County draws from the Pennsylvania American Water on the Allegheny River (Allegheny County, southwest Pennsylvania) — the Allegheny watershed drains Pennsylvanian Allegheny Formation (calcareous) and Mississippian Loyalhanna Limestone (calcareous) — Pennsylvania Allegheny County Allegheny River calcareous supply produces hard water at 167 mg/L with TDS 377.8 mg/L.