Sharon Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
130.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.23
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 Sharon, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Sharon | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 10.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Sharon compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sharon, Pennsylvania | 84.5 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Hermitage, Pennsylvania | 204.5 mg/L | 10.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Youngstown, Ohio | 230.5 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Boardman, Ohio | 143.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| New Castle, Pennsylvania | 178 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Sharon compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sharon | 84.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Sharon's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Sharon, Pennsylvania, in Mercer County — the Mercer County city adjacent to Hermitage and Farrell on the Shenango River in northwest Pennsylvania — receives its water from the Sharon Water Authority (or Pennsylvania American Water), drawing from Shenango River Lake (Mercer County) through the northwest Pennsylvania distribution.
The moderately soft 84.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 130.6 mg/L reflect the northwest Pennsylvania Mercer County Shenango River supply's soft character — driven by the Appalachian Plateau's Pennsylvanian sandstone and Devonian shale watershed with very limited calcareous dissolution, typical of the Shenango-Mahoning Valley industrial corridor communities that draw from the same insoluble plateau bedrock. The Shenango River at Mercer County — Pennsylvanian Pottsville sandstone (insoluble — primary dilutant), Devonian shale (insoluble — dilutant), and Mississippian Mauch Chunk shale (insoluble — dilutant).
At 84.5 mg/L, Sharon's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Mercer County northwest Pennsylvania industrial-steel corridor legacy contribute to Sharon's readings.
Geology & Source: Sharon in Mercer County draws from the Sharon Water Authority on Shenango River Lake (Mercer County, northwest Pennsylvania) — the Shenango River at Mercer County drains the Appalachian Plateau (Pennsylvanian Pottsville sandstone — insoluble) and Devonian shale (insoluble) — Pennsylvania Mercer County Shenango River Pennsylvanian-Devonian insoluble plateau produces moderately soft water at 84.5 mg/L with TDS 130.6 mg/L.