Radnor Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. (formerly Aqua America) provides water service to Radnor Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The utility sources water primarily from surface supplies treated at the Forest Park Water Treatment Plant in Chalfont, Montgomery County, drawing from the Schuylkill River basin including Perkiomen Creek. Some areas may blend with groundwater from local wells. The service covers Radnor and surrounding suburbs in the Philadelphia metro area, with distribution through extensive public mains except in rural estate sections.

The watershed encompasses the upper Schuylkill River drainage, characterized by rolling Piedmont hills transitioning to the Great Valley. Key rock formations include dolomites and limestones of the Cambro-Ordovician period — including the Chickies Quartzite and Ledger Dolomite — overlain by Devonian sandstones and shales of the Catskill Formation. These carbonate-rich strata dissolve to impart calcium and magnesium, yielding a hard supply. Glacial till and fractured bedrock aquifers in Montgomery County further elevate mineralization above what untreated mountain streams alone would produce.

Hard water leaves scale deposits on fixtures, reducing efficiency in water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines by up to 20–30% over time. Faucet aerators and showerheads clog most quickly, demanding frequent cleaning or replacement. Maintenance involves monthly vinegar soaks for visible buildup and annual heater flushing. A water softener is recommended to extend appliance life, improve soap lathering, and prevent spotting on glassware. Typical pH averages 7.5, adjusted for corrosion control. EWG reports from 2012–2017 noted 31 contaminants in Radnor, including 11 exceeding health guidelines such as potential PFAS, chromium-6, and radiologicals, though all met federal MCLs. Treatment involves coagulation, filtration, disinfection, and pH adjustment at Forest Park.