Wilkes-Barre 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
146.5 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 Wilkes-Barre, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Wilkes-Barre | 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 Wilkes-Barre compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania | 93 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Kingston, Pennsylvania | 91.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Back Mountain, Pennsylvania | 124.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Scranton, Pennsylvania | 206 mg/L | 10.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Hazleton, Pennsylvania | 193.5 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Wilkes-Barre compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Wilkes-Barre | 93 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Wilkes-Barre's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the Luzerne County seat in the Wyoming Valley — the heart of the historic Pennsylvania anthracite coal region (the Wyoming Valley was one of the world's most productive anthracite coal mining areas in the 19th and early 20th centuries), home of Wilkes University and King's College, a city rebuilding from the devastating 1972 Agnes Flood (Hurricane Agnes caused catastrophic flooding of the Susquehanna River, destroying large sections of Wilkes-Barre), and a major northeast Pennsylvania community — draws its municipal water supply from the Susquehanna River via the Wyoming Valley Water Authority. Water hardness in Wilkes-Barre measures 93 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
Wilkes-Barre's moderate softness reflects the Wyoming Valley Susquehanna River watershed's calcareous-poor geology. The Susquehanna River at Wilkes-Barre–Wyoming Valley drains: the Pennsylvanian anthracite coal measures (the calcareous-poor Pottsville and Llewellyn Formations — the anthracite coal basin of Luzerne County); the Devonian Catskill Formation (calcareous-poor red clastic formation of the Appalachian Plateau); and the Pocono Formation (calcareous-poor Devonian sandstone). The calcareous-poor anthracite coal basin watershed and Wyoming Valley Water Authority treatment produce the moderate 93 mg/L.
With hardness at 93 mg/L, Wilkes-Barre residents enjoy moderately soft water. Wyoming Valley Water Authority consistently delivers water meeting all Pennsylvania DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Susquehanna River (Wyoming Valley Water Authority) via the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority — the Luzerne County northeast Pennsylvania Wyoming Valley (Pennsylvanian calcareous-poor anthracite coal measures and Devonian calcareous Catskill Formation of the Appalachian Plateau); moderately soft supply at 93 mg/L in Luzerne County.