Olney Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Olney, Pennsylvania, a neighborhood in north Philadelphia in Philadelphia County — a historically diverse north Philadelphia neighborhood (Olney was historically a primarily Jewish and Italian working-class neighborhood, transitioning since the 1980s–2000s to a predominantly Latino-American — primarily Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Mexican — community), a major Philadelphia north side commercial corridor on 5th Street (the '5th Street Corridor' — a major Latino-American commercial district), and a diverse Philadelphia urban community — draws its municipal water supply from the Delaware River via the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). Water hardness in Olney measures 118 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.

Olney's moderate hardness reflects the PWD Delaware River supply and north Philadelphia distribution characteristics. The Delaware River at Philadelphia carries: New Jersey Piedmont and Coastal Plain calcareous moderate contributions; Pennsylvania Piedmont Wissahickon schist and Brandywine crystalline calcareous-moderate runoff; and calcareous Lehigh–Schuylkill Valley carbonate contributions. PWD treats and distributes to Olney's north Philadelphia zone (early 20th century infrastructure — the Olney area developed primarily in the 1910s–1930s), accumulating moderate hardness, producing the 118 mg/L.

At 118 mg/L, Olney residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is recommended. Philadelphia Water Department consistently delivers water meeting all Pennsylvania DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.