Strawberry Mansion Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
152.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.25
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 Strawberry Mansion, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Strawberry Mansion | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -25% |
| Washing Machine | 10.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -16% |
| Water Heater | 11.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Strawberry Mansion compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Strawberry Mansion, Pennsylvania | 95.5 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Allegheny West, Pennsylvania | 87 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Nicetown-Tioga, Pennsylvania | 197.5 mg/L | 10.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| University City, Pennsylvania | 112.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Hartranft, Pennsylvania | 207.5 mg/L | 10.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Strawberry Mansion compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Strawberry Mansion | 95.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Strawberry Mansion's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Strawberry Mansion, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County — a Philadelphia County neighborhood adjacent to Fairmount and Brewerytown along Fairmount Park on the Schuylkill River in northwest Philadelphia — receives its water from the Philadelphia Water Department, drawing from the Schuylkill River and Delaware River intakes through the PWD treatment system.
The moderately soft 95.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 152.3 mg/L are consistent with the Philadelphia Water Department's Schuylkill River supply (Wyncote: 95 mg/L; Chester PA: 97 mg/L) — confirming the uniform Philadelphia metro water character across the service area. The Schuylkill River drains the Pennsylvania Appalachians — Silurian Tuscarora Sandstone (insoluble), Ordovician Martinsburg Formation (slightly calcareous black shale), Cambrian Chickies Formation (calcareous quartzite — minimal hardness contributor), and Juniata red beds (slightly calcareous). The predominantly insoluble Appalachian formations produce the moderately soft Philadelphia supply.
At 95.5 mg/L, Strawberry Mansion'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 4.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove (Montgomery County — AFFF), the Philadelphia Schuylkill River industrial corridor, and the Delaware River basin PFAS background contribute to Strawberry Mansion's readings.
Geology & Source: Strawberry Mansion in Philadelphia County draws from the Philadelphia Water Department on the Schuylkill River (Philadelphia County, southeast Pennsylvania) — the Schuylkill drains the Pennsylvania Appalachians (Silurian Tuscarora Sandstone insoluble, Ordovician Martinsburg Formation slightly calcareous) — Pennsylvania Philadelphia County Schuylkill River Appalachian watershed produces moderately soft water at 95.5 mg/L with TDS 152.3 mg/L.