Pottsville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
213.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 Pottsville, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Pottsville | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -33% |
| Washing Machine | 9.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -23% |
| Water Heater | 10.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -27% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Pottsville compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pottsville, Pennsylvania | 118.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Hazleton, Pennsylvania | 193.5 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Lebanon, Pennsylvania | 158.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania | 100 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Reading, Pennsylvania | 153 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Pottsville compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pottsville | 118.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Pottsville's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in Schuylkill County — the Schuylkill County seat adjacent to Pottstown and Minersville in east-central Pennsylvania coal country — receives its water from the Pottsville Water System, drawing from the Tumbling Run Reservoirs (Schuylkill County) through the east-central Pennsylvania distribution.
The moderately hard 118.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 213.9 mg/L reflect the east-central Pennsylvania Schuylkill County Appalachian Plateau supply's moderate character — reflecting the Pennsylvanian Pottsville Formation's insoluble conglomerate watershed with minor calcareous input from Devonian Hamilton Formation and limestone pockets of the Ridge and Valley geology east of the plateau. The Tumbling Run watershed at Schuylkill County — Pennsylvanian Pottsville Formation (insoluble — primary dilutant), Devonian Hamilton Formation (slightly calcareous — minor contributor), and Cambrian-Ordovician calcareous formations (calcareous — minor hardness contributor).
At 118.5 mg/L, Pottsville's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Schuylkill County east-central Pennsylvania coal country industrial corridor and the Schuylkill River basin legacy contribute to Pottsville's readings.
Geology & Source: Pottsville in Schuylkill County draws from the Pottsville Water System on Tumbling Run Reservoirs (Schuylkill County, east-central Pennsylvania) — the reservoir drains the Appalachian Plateau (Pennsylvanian Pottsville Formation — insoluble conglomerate) and Devonian Hamilton Formation (slightly calcareous) — Pennsylvania Schuylkill County Appalachian Plateau Pennsylvanian-Devonian watershed produces moderately hard water at 118.5 mg/L with TDS 213.9 mg/L.