Upper Roxborough Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
145.1 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 Upper Roxborough, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Upper Roxborough | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -15% |
| Water Heater | 11.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Upper Roxborough compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Upper Roxborough, Pennsylvania | 92.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| 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 |
| Germantown, Pennsylvania | 89.5 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Upper Roxborough compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Upper Roxborough | 92.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Upper Roxborough's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Upper Roxborough, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County — a Philadelphia County neighborhood adjacent to Roxborough and Manayunk in the northwest Philadelphia section along the Schuylkill River — receives its water from the Philadelphia Water Department, drawing from the Schuylkill River through the southeast Pennsylvania distribution.
The moderately hard 92.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 145.1 mg/L reflect the Philadelphia County supply's moderate Piedmont character — the Precambrian Wissahickon Formation provides insoluble metamorphic dilution, while the Cambrian Cockeysville Marble contributes calcareous mineral content from its marble and calcareous gneiss in the Pennsylvania Piedmont (compare Roxborough PA: 89/139 in Philadelphia County comparable; Manayunk PA: 94/151 in Philadelphia County comparable; Upper Roxborough consistent moderate from the same Philadelphia County Schuylkill River Precambrian supply). The Schuylkill watershed — Precambrian Wissahickon Formation (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Cockeysville Marble (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Schuylkill alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 92.5 mg/L with TDS 145, Upper Roxborough's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.6 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review the Philadelphia Water Department's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Upper Roxborough in Philadelphia County draws from the Philadelphia Water on the Schuylkill River supply (Philadelphia County, southeast Pennsylvania) — the Schuylkill watershed draws from Precambrian Wissahickon Formation (insoluble) and Cambrian Cockeysville Marble (calcareous) — Pennsylvania Philadelphia County Schuylkill River Precambrian supply produces moderately hard water at 92.5 mg/L with TDS 145.1 mg/L.