How does Port Orchard's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Port Orchard (≈ 60–119 mg/L) is 61 mg/L softer than average.

Port Orchard Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

moderately hard

~60–119 mg/L

Moderately Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.4

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

23800 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.24

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

moderately hard~60–119 mg/LModerately Hard · est.

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 Port Orchard, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Port Orchard	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	7.5 yrs	8.5 yrs	-12%
Washing Machine	10.6 yrs	12 yrs	-12%
Water Heater	13.2 yrs	15 yrs	-12%

Regional Water Comparison

How Port Orchard compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Port Orchard, Washington	≈ 60–119 mg/L	23.9 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	groundwater
Bremerton, Washington	≈ 0–60 mg/L	4.9 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Silverdale, Washington	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Bainbridge Island, Washington	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Poulsbo, Washington	80 mg/L	0 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Port Orchard compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Port Orchard	≈ 60–119 mg/L	🟡 Low
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Port Orchard's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 23800 mg/LpH: 7.4

The City of Port Orchard Water utility, serving residents of Port Orchard and Kitsap County, draws its supply primarily from groundwater. This aquifer, known locally as the Kitsap aquifer, is a significant source for the region. Water is extracted from wells tapping into this underground reservoir. Although the specific treatment plants are not detailed, the Kitsap aquifer is the fundamental origin of the water provided to the community, reflecting the geology of Kitsap County, Washington.

The Kitsap aquifer is geologically situated within Pleistocene glacial drift, which is noted for being slightly calcareous. This layer sits atop older Eocene basalt formations. The basalt itself is considered insoluble. The interaction between the water and these geological materials, particularly the calcareous glacial deposits, results in the aquifer producing water that is classified as moderately soft. This characteristic is a direct consequence of the underlying rock types and their mineral content.

Homeowners in Port Orchard might notice that moderately soft water doesn't produce as many suds with soap as very hard water does, which can be a good thing for laundry. However, it also means that mineral buildup is less of a concern for appliances like coffee makers and water heaters, potentially extending their lifespan. While not typically requiring a full water softener, understanding the water's moderate softness can help manage expectations regarding cleaning and lathering, and it generally means less scale forming inside pipes and fixtures.

Geology & Source: Kitsap aquifer; Pleistocene glacial drift (calcareous) over Eocene basalt yields moderately soft water

Other Washington Water Reports

Bremerton

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Silverdale

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bainbridge Island

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Poulsbo

80 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Port Orchard's water safe to drink?

Yes. Port Orchard's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 60–119 mg/L (Moderately Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Port Orchard?

Port Orchard's water is moderately hard at ≈ 60–119 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Port Orchard compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Port Orchard (≈ 60–119 mg/L) is 61 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Port Orchard is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.