Morgantown Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
river
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
542 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Morgantown, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Morgantown | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Morgantown compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Morgantown, West Virginia | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Fairmont, West Virginia | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Clarksburg, West Virginia | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Washington, Pennsylvania | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 0 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Morgantown compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Morgantown | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Morgantown's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Morgantown Utility Board (MUB), PWSID WV3303111, serves Morgantown in Monongalia County, West Virginia. Primary water sources are the Monongahela River and Cobun Creek Reservoir, located in White Park. MUB operates treatment facilities processing raw water from these mixed surface sources using conventional coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection before distribution to residential, commercial, and institutional customers. Annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) are published by MUB at mub.org/ccr, covering the 2024 reporting period.
The Monongahela River watershed drains the Allegheny Plateau, channeling through Pennsylvanian Pottsville and Conemaugh formations rich in limestone and shale, along with Mississippian-age Mauch Chunk Formation red beds. Cobun Creek feeds a reservoir capturing local runoff from similar Appalachian geology. These carbonate-bearing rock formations dissolve calcium and magnesium minerals into surface waters as runoff flows over limestone outcrops and percolates through mineral-rich soils, shaping a moderately mineralised supply influenced by the region's karst features and folded Appalachian drainage patterns.
Moderately hard water promotes scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Soap lathering is reduced, leading to higher detergent use and potential laundry residue. Regular vinegar descaling quarterly and installing sediment pre-filters are recommended maintenance steps. A water softener is advised for households noticing spotting on fixtures or dry skin, especially in high-use homes. Specific pH, lead, or PFAS data are unavailable from retrieved sources; no notable contaminants are highlighted. Localized boil water advisories for main repairs have occurred, such as the May 2026 outage at 234–238 Poplar Drive.
Geology & Source: Appalachian Plateau — Pennsylvanian Allegheny and Conemaugh Group sandstones, shales, and limestones; Mississippian Mauch Chunk Formation red beds; carbonate dissolution over limestone outcrops produces moderately mineralised supply
Other West Virginia Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morgantown's water safe to drink?
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How does Morgantown compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Morgantown is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.