Roxborough Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
337.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.42
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 Roxborough, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Roxborough | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -48% |
| Washing Machine | 7.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -35% |
| Water Heater | 9.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -38% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Roxborough compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Roxborough, Pennsylvania | 157.5 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| West Mount Airy, Pennsylvania | 194.5 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| East Mount Airy, Pennsylvania | 125 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Overbrook, Pennsylvania | 159.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Allegheny West, Pennsylvania | 87 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Roxborough compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Roxborough | 157.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Roxborough's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Roxborough, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County — a Philadelphia County neighborhood adjacent to Manayunk and Wissahickon in northwest Philadelphia — receives its water from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), drawing from the Schuylkill River (Philadelphia County) through the northwest Philadelphia distribution.
The moderately hard 157.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 337.1 mg/L are harder than the adjacent Allegheny West (87 mg/L) — reflecting Roxborough's northwest Philadelphia position where the Schuylkill River receives additional calcareous input from the Triassic Brunswick Formation and Perkiomen Creek tributary before entering the Philadelphia Water Department intakes. The Schuylkill at Roxborough-Philadelphia draws from — Precambrian Wissahickon Schist (insoluble — primary dilutant), Triassic Brunswick Formation (calcareous redbeds — primary hardness contributor via Perkiomen), and Cambrian Conestoga Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor).
At 157.5 mg/L, Roxborough'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 8.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Philadelphia metro industrial corridor and the Schuylkill River upstream PFAS legacy contribute to Roxborough's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Roxborough in Philadelphia County draws from the Philadelphia Water Department on the Schuylkill River (Philadelphia County, southeast Pennsylvania) — the Schuylkill drains the Reading Prong (Precambrian Wissahickon Schist — insoluble) and Triassic Brunswick Formation (calcareous) via the Perkiomen tributary — Pennsylvania Philadelphia County Schuylkill River Precambrian-Triassic watershed produces moderately hard water at 157.5 mg/L with TDS 337.1 mg/L.