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Roxborough Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

337.1 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 Roxborough, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn RoxboroughSoft Water CityEfficiency 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 Roxborough compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Roxborough, Pennsylvania≈ 120–179 mg/L8 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Upper Roxborough, Pennsylvania125 mg/L4.6 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
West Mount Airy, Pennsylvania≈ 120–179 mg/L10 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Germantown, Pennsylvania≈ 180+ mg/L4.4 ppt🔴 Very Hardreservoir
East Mount Airy, Pennsylvania≈ 120–179 mg/L6.3 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir

National Benchmark

How Roxborough compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Roxborough≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Roxborough's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 337.1 mg/LpH: 8

The Roxborough Water and Sanitation District (RWSD) provides drinking water to customers in Jefferson County, Colorado. Their supply primarily comes from surface diversions in the nearby foothills, treated at local facilities to meet federal and state standards. RWSD manages the distribution for this semi-rural community located northwest of Denver. The water originates in the upper Ralston Creek and North Turkey Creek watersheds within the Front Range. Precipitation here infiltrates Paleozoic bedrock, which is dominated by sandstone and limestone sequences from the Pennsylvanian Fountain Formation and underlying Mississippian strata. These formations impart a moderately mineralized profile due to natural leaching of alkaline earth metals from sedimentary layers. The geology fosters a stable but mineral-laden chemistry, shaped by the erosion of ancient mountain belts into foothill aquifers and streams.

At moderately hard levels, homeowners may notice soap scum in showers, scale buildup in dishwashers and water heaters, and reduced lather from detergents. Appliances like coffee makers and washing machines can be affected, with mineral deposits potentially shortening their lifespan if left unaddressed. Regular vinegar rinses, magnetic descalers, or cartridge filters can help mitigate these effects; a whole-home softener is an optional but recommended addition for heavy users seeking to preserve appliance efficiency without over-softening the water. RWSD maintains a neutral pH for corrosion control, and recent testing shows lead and copper levels well below action limits. No significant PFAS detections were reported in recent monitoring; the primary concerns are occasional turbidity from runoff, which is managed through coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination. The treatment process ensures safe, clear water year-round, with annual Consumer Confidence Reports detailing all parameters.

Geology & Source: Devonian/Mississippian sandstones, shales, limestones; Catskill/Pocono Groups; moderate hardness from carbonate-rich limestones and dolomites

Other Pennsylvania Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roxborough's water safe to drink?
Yes. Roxborough'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 Roxborough?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Roxborough'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 Roxborough compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Roxborough (≈ 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 Roxborough 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

pH

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.