West Mifflin Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
464.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.50
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 West Mifflin, your appliances are currently losing 25% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In West Mifflin | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -60% |
| Washing Machine | 6.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -45% |
| Water Heater | 8 yrs | 15 yrs | -47% |
Regional Water Comparison
How West Mifflin compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 189 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| McKeesport, Pennsylvania | 176 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania | 89.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Monroeville, Pennsylvania | 105 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Baldwin, Pennsylvania | 127.5 mg/L | 6.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How West Mifflin compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ West Mifflin | 189 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes West Mifflin's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County — a bordering community adjacent to the U.S. Steel Edgar Thomson Works in Braddock in the Monongahela River valley southeast of Pittsburgh, home of the former Kennywood Park roller coaster landmark, an Allegheny County mill town community — receives its municipal water from Pennsylvania American Water (PAWC), which draws from the Monongahela River intake or the McKeesport water system, serving the Mon Valley communities including West Mifflin.
The moderately hard 189 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 464.3 mg/L reflect the Monongahela River watershed's Appalachian Plateau geology and the Mon Valley's historic industrial water quality legacy. The Monongahela River drains the Allegheny Plateau of southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia — terrain underlain by the Pennsylvanian Pittsburgh Coal Measures (coal, limestone, and shale — the Pittsburgh Formation, Redstone Formation, and Sewickley Formation with calcareous limestone members), the Pennsylvanian Conemaugh Group, and the Monongalia Formation. Acid mine drainage from the extensive Pittsburgh coalfield (historically severe, now greatly reduced) and natural carbonate leaching from the Pennsylvanian limestone produce the moderately hard, elevated-TDS supply.
At 189 mg/L, West Mifflin's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 9.9 ppt is very high and warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the US Steel Edgar Thomson Works, the Monessen coke and steel complex, Allegheny County industrial chemical manufacturing, and the broader Mon Valley steel-industrial PFAS legacy contribute to West Mifflin's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: West Mifflin in Allegheny County draws from the Pennsylvania American Water (PAWC) treating the Monongahela River or Youghiogheny River — the Monongahela drains the Appalachian Plateau (Pennsylvanian Pittsburgh Coal Measures and limestone) — Appalachian Plateau Pennsylvanian carbonate and coal measures drainage produces moderately hard water at 189 mg/L with elevated TDS 464 mg/L in this Allegheny County Pennsylvania community.