Water Hardness in Pennsylvania Cities

Water hardness, which primarily means the concentration of dissolved substances like calcium and magnesium, can greatly differ across Pennsylvania. The commonwealth, situated towards the eastern seaboard, often experiences varied water hardness levels, unlike regions such as the Midwest which are prone to higher hardness levels.

Concentrating on Pennsylvania, the specific hardness measurements gathered from several towns and cities show an inclination towards moderate to high hardness levels, compared to the national average. As such, Pennsylvania’s water is generally classified in the ‘moderate to hard’ category. This feature has significant implications in areas such as the water’s taste and the effectiveness of cleaning substances like soaps and detergents. It is worth noting that these hardness levels can vary and are subject to change based on local geological conditions and differences in water sources.

The cities analyzed in this dataset exhibit varied hardness levels in their water supplies, determined in Parts Per Million (ppm) and Grains Per Gallon (gpg). Cities such as Allentown, Lancaster, and Wilson, report particularly high hardness levels, surpassing 250 ppm, or 14.60 gpg. Conversely, cities with lower hardness levels include Pittsburgh, Scranton, York, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton, which display hardness levels below 100 ppm, or 5.84 gpg. Several cities such as Reading, Erie, Bethlehem, Hermitage, Franklin Park, and many others do not provide data for water hardness.

Hard water can cause issues such as mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances, reduce the efficacy of soaps and detergents, and affect the taste of the water. A tried and true solution is the use of a water softener. A water softener, like the ones from DROP, could be a worthwhile investment.

These devices work by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness with sodium ions, resulting in softer water. With innovative features, easy installation, and efficient operation, DROP smart water softeners provide a solution to hard water issues, extending the lifespan of appliances, improving water taste, enhancing soap effectiveness, reducing scale build-up, and increasing the overall water efficiency in your home.