York Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
277.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.37
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 York, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In York | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -41% |
| Washing Machine | 8.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -30% |
| Water Heater | 10 yrs | 15 yrs | -33% |
Regional Water Comparison
How York compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ York, Pennsylvania | 139.5 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Weigelstown, Pennsylvania | 122.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hanover, Pennsylvania | 204 mg/L | 10.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Hershey, Pennsylvania | 210.5 mg/L | 10.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Colonial Park, Pennsylvania | 178.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How York compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ York | 139.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes York's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
York, Pennsylvania, the York County seat in south-central Pennsylvania — one of the first capitals of the United States (the Continental Congress met here in 1777–1778), a major Pennsylvania manufacturing city (home of York Barbell Company, Graham Corporation, and numerous metal fabricating industries), known as the 'White Rose City,' and a historic south-central Pennsylvania community with significant African-American and Hispanic cultural heritage — draws its municipal water supply from the Codorus Creek via the York Water Company. Water hardness in York measures 139.5 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
York's moderate hardness reflects the York County Great Valley carbonate belt geology. The Codorus Creek watershed drains the York–Adams County Gettysburg–York Lowland — the Ordovician–Cambrian calcareous carbonate platform of the Great Valley, specifically: the Ordovician Beekmantown Group dolomite (calcareous dolomite of the York County lowland); the Cambrian Conestoga Formation (calcareous limestone of the Great Valley carbonate belt); and the Triassic Gettysburg Formation red arkose (moderately calcareous Triassic basin fill). The Great Valley carbonate belt's calcareous dolomite and limestone produce the moderate 139.5 mg/L at York.
At 139.5 mg/L, York residents encounter moderate-to-hard scale accumulation. Monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is recommended for faucet aerators and showerheads. York Water Company consistently delivers water meeting all Pennsylvania DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Codorus Creek (Codorus State Park watershed) via the York Water Company — the York County south-central Pennsylvania (Ordovician–Cambrian calcareous limestone and dolomite of the Gettysburg–York Lowland — the Great Valley carbonate belt); moderately hard supply at 139.5 mg/L in York County.