How does Overbrook's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Overbrook (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Overbrook Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

343.8 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Overbrook	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Overbrook compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Overbrook, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Carroll Park, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Haddington, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Cobbs Creek, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Ardmore, Pennsylvania	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Overbrook compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Overbrook	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Overbrook's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 343.8 mg/LpH: 8

Overbrook Water Company, managed by Veolia Water PA Overbrook, serves approximately 168 people in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The system maintains a water quality grade of A (Excellent) with a perfect score of 100/100 according to 2026 testing, meeting all EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Goals across all served areas with no health violations recorded. Inquiries can be directed to Veolia Water PA Overbrook at 570-674-6576. The utility's compliance record is published through the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act reporting requirements.

Overbrook lies within the anthracite coal region of northeastern Pennsylvania, an area underlain by Pennsylvanian-age sedimentary rock formations including sandstone, shale, and coal-bearing strata. These geological formations naturally contain carbonate-bearing minerals — primarily calcium and magnesium carbonates — that are leached into groundwater as it percolates through the subsurface. This geology is responsible for the hard water character typical of the region.

At hard hardness levels, Overbrook residents should expect scale buildup in kettles, coffee makers, dishwashers, and water heaters, reducing efficiency and shortening appliance lifespan. Soap efficiency is reduced and mineral spotting on dishes and fixtures is common. Regular descaling maintenance extends appliance life. A water softener is recommended for households with high-use appliances or sensitive processes. The water currently meets all health-based EPA guidelines, with a pH of approximately 7.5 optimized for corrosion control and all contaminants within safe limits.

Geology & Source: Luzerne County anthracite region; Pennsylvanian-age sandstone, shale, and coal-bearing sedimentary formations — carbonate-bearing strata leach moderate calcium and magnesium into groundwater, producing hard water typical of northeastern Pennsylvania

Other Pennsylvania Water Reports

Carroll Park

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Haddington

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Cobbs Creek

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Ardmore

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Overbrook's water safe to drink?

Yes. Overbrook's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Overbrook?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Overbrook's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Overbrook compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Overbrook (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Overbrook is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.