Point Breeze Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
404.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.47
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 Point Breeze, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Point Breeze | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -55% |
| Washing Machine | 7.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -41% |
| Water Heater | 8.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Point Breeze compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Point Breeze, Pennsylvania | 176 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Grays Ferry, Pennsylvania | 198 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Rittenhouse, Pennsylvania | 188 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Lower Moyamensing, Pennsylvania | 202.5 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Wharton, Pennsylvania | 129.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Point Breeze compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Point Breeze | 176 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Point Breeze's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Point Breeze, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County — a Philadelphia County neighborhood adjacent to Grays Ferry and Newbold in south-central Philadelphia — receives its municipal water from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), drawing from the Schuylkill River (Queen Lane or Belmont WTP) or the Delaware River (Baxter WTP) through the PWD south Philadelphia distribution system.
The very hard 176 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 404.8 mg/L are among the harder Philadelphia readings, consistent with the south Philadelphia distribution zone receiving a high proportion of the calcareous Schuylkill River supply. The Schuylkill drains significant Ordovician-Triassic carbonate geology; the south Philadelphia PWD zone channels this harder water to communities such as Point Breeze, Elmwood (169.5 mg/L), and Grays Ferry.
At 176 mg/L, Point Breeze's water is very hard — scale builds rapidly in kettles and appliances, a water softener is strongly recommended, and water heaters require annual descaling. The PFAS level of 9.0 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Philadelphia International Airport (AFFF — directly in the south Philadelphia watershed), the Philadelphia Navy Yard PFAS legacy site, and the Delaware Valley PFAS complex contribute to Point Breeze's very elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Point Breeze in Philadelphia County draws from Philadelphia Water Department on the Schuylkill River or Delaware River (Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania) — the Schuylkill drains the Pennsylvania Appalachians (Ordovician Nittany Dolomite, Triassic Brunswick calcareous) — Pennsylvania Philadelphia Schuylkill-Delaware watershed produces very hard water at 176 mg/L with TDS 404.8 mg/L in this Philadelphia County Pennsylvania neighborhood.