Plum Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
142.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.24
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 Plum, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Plum | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -22% |
| Washing Machine | 10.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -14% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Plum compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Plum, Pennsylvania | 90 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| New Kensington, Pennsylvania | 183.5 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Monroeville, Pennsylvania | 105 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Murrysville, Pennsylvania | 159.5 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Penn Hills, Pennsylvania | 161.5 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Plum compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Plum | 90 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Plum's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Plum, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County — a major east Pittsburgh suburban community (Plum (officially Plum Borough) is a significant Allegheny County municipality — an east Pittsburgh suburb adjacent to Penn Hills and Oakmont; Plum Borough is one of the growing east Allegheny County suburban communities that has attracted Pittsburgh metro families seeking more space and affordable homes outside the inner Pittsburgh ring; Plum is known for its extensive residential suburban development in the valleys and ridges of east Allegheny County and its strong community identity as a largely residential Allegheny County borough), home of Plum Borough School District (a significant Allegheny County public school system), a diverse Allegheny County community with a primarily working-class and middle-class suburban family population, adjacent to Oakmont and Penn Hills in the east Allegheny County corridor, and a growing east Pittsburgh suburban community — draws its municipal water supply via the Municipal Authority of Plum Borough. Water hardness in Plum measures 90 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Plum's moderate softness reflects the east Pittsburgh Allegheny County Allegheny River supply with effective treatment. The Allegheny River at Plum–Allegheny County drains the Pennsylvanian Coal Measures (calcareous-moderate) with effective treatment, producing the moderately soft 90 mg/L.
With hardness at 90 mg/L, Plum residents enjoy moderately soft water. Municipal Authority of Plum Borough consistently delivers water meeting all Pennsylvania DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Allegheny River via the Municipal Authority of Plum Borough — the Allegheny County east Pittsburgh Plum Borough corridor (Pennsylvanian calcareous-moderate Allegheny Group — the calcareous-moderate east Pittsburgh Allegheny County Pennsylvania Coal Measures; effective treatment); moderately soft supply at 90 mg/L in Allegheny County.