Morgantown Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.2 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
251.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.33
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 Morgantown, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Morgantown | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -35% |
| Washing Machine | 9 yrs | 12 yrs | -25% |
| Water Heater | 10.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -29% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Morgantown compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Morgantown, West Virginia | 124 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Fairmont, West Virginia | 150 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Clarksburg, West Virginia | 114.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Washington, Pennsylvania | 150 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| South Park Township, Pennsylvania | 146.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Morgantown compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Morgantown | 124 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Morgantown's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Morgantown, West Virginia, the Monongalia County seat — a major north West Virginia university city (Morgantown is the Monongalia County seat and home of West Virginia University — the flagship state university of West Virginia and a Carnegie R1 research university with major programs in energy, medicine, and law; WVU's PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) system is the only automated personal rapid transit system on a US university campus; WVU's Mountaineers are one of the most passionate fan bases in the Big 12 Conference), home of the Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater and Core Arboretum (one of the most important natural areas associated with a US university — a 91-acre old-growth forest preserve within the WVU campus), a diverse Monongalia County community with a significant WVU student and faculty, technology corridor, and Appalachian-heritage working-class population, and a city that has grown significantly as a technology and healthcare hub — draws its municipal water supply from the Monongahela River via the Morgantown Utility Board. Water hardness in Morgantown measures 124 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Morgantown's moderate hardness reflects the north West Virginia Allegheny Plateau Monongahela watershed calcareous-moderate geology. The Monongahela River at Morgantown–Monongalia County drains the Pennsylvanian Conemaugh and Allegheny Groups (calcareous-moderate coal basin). MUB treatment produces the moderate 124 mg/L.
At 124 mg/L, Morgantown residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Monthly cleaning is recommended. Morgantown Utility Board consistently delivers water meeting all West Virginia DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Monongalia River via the Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) — the Monongalia County north West Virginia Allegheny Plateau (Pennsylvanian calcareous-moderate Conemaugh and Allegheny Groups — the calcareous-moderate north West Virginia Allegheny Plateau coal basin; effective treatment); moderately hard supply at 124 mg/L in Monongalia County.