Is Pennsylvania tap water hard or soft?
Mostly not. 26 % of the 23 cities with published data in Pennsylvania have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L). The median is 5.3 gpg, from 0.6 gpg in Chambersburg to 15.8 gpg in Turbotville.
We have published hardness data for 23 cities in Pennsylvania. The median is 5.3 gpg; the hardest water is in Turbotville (15.8 gpg), the softest in Chambersburg (0.6 gpg).
26 % of these cities have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L).
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Cities in Pennsylvania, hardest first
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Turbotville | 15.8 | 270 | very hard |
| Punxsutawney | 12.1 | 207 | very hard |
| Royersford | 9.1 | 155 | hard |
| Philadelphia | 8.9 | 152 | hard |
| Phoenixville | 8.8 | 151 | hard |
| Norristown | 8.7 | 149 | hard |
| New Castle | 6.7 | 115 | moderately hard |
| Saw Creek | 6.7 | 115 | moderately hard |
| Indiana | 5.8 | 100 | moderately hard |
| Pine Ridge | 5.8 | 99 | moderately hard |
| Steelton | 5.4 | 92 | moderately hard |
| Monroeville | 5.3 | 90 | moderately hard |
| Thompson | 5.3 | 90 | moderately hard |
| York | 5 | 85 | moderately hard |
| Uniontown | 4.7 | 80 | moderately hard |
| Warren | 4.6 | 78 | moderately hard |
| Montrose | 4 | 69 | moderately hard |
| Kittanning | 3.9 | 67 | moderately hard |
| Kane | 3.4 | 59 | soft |
| Yardley | 3.4 | 58 | soft |
| Scranton | 1.6 | 27 | soft |
| Hazleton | 1.3 | 23 | soft |
| Chambersburg | 0.6 | 10 | soft |
FAQ
Is Pennsylvania water hard or soft?
Mostly not. 26 % of the 23 cities we cover have hard or very hard water; the median is 5.3 gpg.
Which city in Pennsylvania has the hardest water?
Turbotville, at 15.8 gpg, has the hardest water of the 23 cities with published data.
Which city in Pennsylvania has the softest water?
Chambersburg, at 0.6 gpg, has the softest water of the 23 cities with published data.
Do I need a water softener in Pennsylvania?
Above about 120 mg/L (7 gpg) scale builds up in water heaters, kettles and dishwashers, and a softener or at least regular descaling pays off. Look up your own city in the table: in Pennsylvania the values range from 0.6 gpg to 15.8 gpg.
On a private well? Well water hardness in Pennsylvania by county →