Waynesboro Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
221.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 Waynesboro, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Waynesboro | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -34% |
| Washing Machine | 9.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -24% |
| Water Heater | 10.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -28% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Waynesboro compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Waynesboro, Pennsylvania | 120.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hagerstown, Maryland | 182.5 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Chambersburg, Pennsylvania | 131 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Halfway, Maryland | 184 mg/L | 10.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Frederick, Maryland | 109 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Waynesboro compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Waynesboro | 120.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Waynesboro's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, in Franklin County — a Franklin County borough adjacent to Hagerstown and Greencastle in south-central Pennsylvania near the Maryland border — receives its water from the Borough of Waynesboro Water Department, drawing from the Antietam Creek watershed through the south-central Pennsylvania distribution.
The moderately hard 120.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 221.1 mg/L reflect the Franklin County Antietam Creek supply's moderate calcareous character — the Cambrian Tomstown Formation and Ordovician Chambersburg Limestone are calcareous formations in the Great Appalachian Valley (Cumberland Valley), and the Antietam Creek acquires moderate dissolved mineral content from its limestone-dolomite drainage (compare Hagerstown MD: 117/214 in Washington County comparable; Greencastle PA: 123/228 in Franklin County comparable; Waynesboro consistent moderate from the same Franklin County Antietam Creek Cambrian calcareous supply). The Antietam watershed — Cambrian Tomstown Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Chambersburg Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Antietam alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 120.5 mg/L with TDS 221, Waynesboro's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the Borough of Waynesboro's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Waynesboro in Franklin County draws from the Waynesboro Water on the Antietam Creek watershed (Franklin County, south Pennsylvania) — the Antietam watershed drains Cambrian Tomstown Formation (calcareous) and Ordovician Chambersburg Limestone (calcareous) — Pennsylvania Franklin County Antietam Creek Cambrian calcareous supply produces moderately hard water at 120.5 mg/L with TDS 221.1 mg/L.