Upper Saint Clair Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
138.1 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 Upper Saint Clair, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Upper Saint Clair | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -21% |
| Washing Machine | 10.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -14% |
| Water Heater | 12.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Upper Saint Clair compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Upper Saint Clair, Pennsylvania | 88 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania | 130.5 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Bethel Park, Pennsylvania | 194 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Whitehall, Pennsylvania | 213.5 mg/L | 11.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| South Park Township, Pennsylvania | 146.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Upper Saint Clair compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Upper Saint Clair | 88 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 Saint Clair's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Upper Saint Clair, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County — an Allegheny County township in the south Pittsburgh suburban corridor adjacent to Bethel Park and Peters Township, one of the most affluent communities in the Pittsburgh metro — receives its municipal water from Pennsylvania American Water, drawing from Chartiers Creek or through the Allegheny County regional water supply system.
The moderately soft 88 mg/L hardness and low TDS of 138.1 mg/L reflect the south Pittsburgh suburban area's Appalachian Plateau water character — considerably softer than the McKeesport Monongahela supply (176 mg/L, TDS 413). The Chartiers Creek watershed in south Allegheny County drains the Allegheny Plateau sandstone and shale terrain (Pennsylvanian Pottsville and Conemaugh Groups, Devonian Brallier Formation), with limited carbonate content compared to the more mineralrich Monongahela-Youghiogheny supply zone. The result is the relatively soft supply characteristic of the south Pittsburgh suburban groundwater-fed corridor.
At 88 mg/L, Upper Saint Clair's water is moderately soft — comfortable for household use. Scale forms slowly, soap lathers well, and appliances operate efficiently. Semi-annual descaling is adequate. The PFAS level of 4.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Pittsburgh south suburban industrial corridor, the Allegheny County legacy PFAS manufacturing complex (Pittsburgh Glass Works, PPG Industries legacy), and the south Pittsburgh PFAS background contribute to Upper Saint Clair's readings.
Geology & Source: Upper Saint Clair in Allegheny County draws from the Pennsylvania American Water on Chartiers Creek or the Youghiogheny River watershed — the Chartiers and Youghiogheny drain the Allegheny Plateau (Pennsylvanian Pottsville Group, Mississippian Loyalhanna Limestone) — Allegheny Plateau sandstone-limestone drainage produces moderately soft water at 88 mg/L with TDS 138 mg/L in this Allegheny County Pennsylvania suburb.