Overbrook Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
343.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.43
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 Overbrook, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Overbrook | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -49% |
| Washing Machine | 7.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -36% |
| Water Heater | 9.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -39% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Overbrook compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Overbrook, Pennsylvania | 159.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Haddington, Pennsylvania | 204 mg/L | 10.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Cobbs Creek, Pennsylvania | 141.5 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Ardmore, Pennsylvania | 108 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Roxborough, Pennsylvania | 157.5 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Overbrook compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Overbrook | 159.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Overbrook's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — a major west Philadelphia neighborhood (Overbrook is a significant west Philadelphia neighborhood at the Philadelphia–Lower Merion Township boundary — one of the historic northwest Philadelphia residential corridors along Lancaster and City Line Avenues, known for its distinctive stone rowhouses and twin homes), birthplace of Wilt Chamberlain (the legendary NBA basketball player considered by many the most dominant physical player in NBA history was born and raised in Overbrook — Chamberlain attended Overbrook High School, which is in the Overbrook neighborhood and has produced many NBA players), a diverse Philadelphia County community with a significant African-American working-class and professional population, adjacent to the City Line Avenue commercial corridor, and a community with significant residential and civic development history — draws its municipal water supply from the Schuylkill River via the Philadelphia Water Department. Water hardness in Overbrook measures 159.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Overbrook's hard supply reflects the west Philadelphia PWD distribution zone characteristics. The Philadelphia Water Department distributes Schuylkill watershed supply through the west Philadelphia Overbrook zone (primarily 1920s–1940s west Philadelphia rowhouse era mains), producing the hard 159.5 mg/L.
At 159.5 mg/L, Overbrook residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling is recommended. Philadelphia Water Department consistently delivers water meeting all Pennsylvania DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Schuylkill River watershed (PWD system) via the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) — the Philadelphia County west Philadelphia Overbrook corridor (Precambrian calcareous-moderate Philadelphia Gneiss and Wissahickon Schist — the calcareous-moderate Philadelphia Piedmont Schuylkill watershed; PWD west Philadelphia distribution to Overbrook zone); hard supply at 159.5 mg/L in Philadelphia County.