Wilkinsburg Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
141.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.24
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 Wilkinsburg, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Wilkinsburg | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -22% |
| Washing Machine | 10.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -14% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Wilkinsburg compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania | 89.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Penn Hills, Pennsylvania | 161.5 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 189 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| McKeesport, Pennsylvania | 176 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Monroeville, Pennsylvania | 105 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Wilkinsburg compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Wilkinsburg | 89.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Wilkinsburg's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County — an Allegheny County borough adjacent to Edgewood and Churchill in the east Pittsburgh suburb — receives its municipal water from the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA), drawing from the Allegheny River (Allegheny County) through the Pittsburgh water treatment plant.
The moderately soft 89.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 141.5 mg/L are consistent with the Pittsburgh metro PWSA Allegheny River supply (Bethel Park: 89 mg/L; Carnegie: 87 mg/L) — reflecting the Allegheny River's moderate Appalachian Plateau calcareous character. The Allegheny River drainage (Allegheny County) crosses the Appalachian Plateau — Pennsylvanian Allegheny Formation (calcareous coal-bearing shale — primary hardness contributor), Mississippian Mauch Chunk Formation (slightly calcareous red shale), and Pennsylvanian Pottsville Formation (calcareous conglomerate).
At 89.5 mg/L, Wilkinsburg's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.7 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Pittsburgh industrial corridor (steel and manufacturing legacy PFAS), the Allegheny River PFAS background from the Pennsylvania industrial legacy, and the PWSA system's distribution contribute to Wilkinsburg's readings.
Geology & Source: Wilkinsburg in Allegheny County draws from the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority on the Allegheny River (Allegheny County, west Pennsylvania) — the Allegheny drains the Appalachian Plateau (Pennsylvanian Allegheny Formation calcareous, Mississippian Mauch Chunk shale) — Pennsylvania Allegheny County Allegheny River Appalachian Plateau watershed produces moderately soft water at 89.5 mg/L with TDS 141.5 mg/L.