State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM11
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM69
Hard · 121–180 PPM55
Very hard · 181+ PPM1
State water index
Pennsylvania water hardness
Search 50 indexed communities and 139 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median regional evidence
110PPM
Moderately Hard
Indexed range 23.6–219 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 139
- Cities
- 50
- Matched utilities
- 50
- Counties
- 28
Understanding Pennsylvania
Why local comparisons matter here
Pennsylvania crosses multiple Appalachian ridges, plateaus, carbonate valleys, river basins, and glacial deposits in the northwest and northeast.
In this index, moderately hard is the largest category, covering 69 of 136 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 110 PPM, but the full indexed range is 23.6–219 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 98%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 99%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 5%
9
Low-confidence hardness profiles
117
Research-comparison eligible profiles
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Surface water
- 33
- Groundwater
- 16
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 1
Highest medians
Highest eligible city medians
- 1. Pittsburgh130 PPM
- 2. Philadelphia106 PPM
Lowest medians
Lowest eligible city medians
- 1. Philadelphia106 PPM
- 2. Pittsburgh130 PPM
City directory
Explore Pennsylvania by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
50 cities · 139 ZIP profiles
50 cities found
Page 1 of 3
Altoona
Blair County · 2 ZIPs
53PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bainbridge
Lancaster County · 1 ZIP
160PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bath
Northampton County · 1 ZIP
118PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bethlehem
Northampton County · 2 ZIPs
99PPM regional
Regional range 93.4–104No active flag
Blossburg
Tioga County · 1 ZIP
26PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bradford
Mckean County · 1 ZIP
45PPM regional
Single regional value1 active record
Brookville
Jefferson County · 1 ZIP
157PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Carlisle
Cumberland County · 1 ZIP
154PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Chester
Delaware County · 1 ZIP
111PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Clearfield
Clearfield County · 1 ZIP
158PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Columbia
Lancaster County · 1 ZIP
152PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Downingtown
Chester County · 1 ZIP
115PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Duquesne
Allegheny County · 1 ZIP
152PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Edinboro
Erie County · 2 ZIPs
171PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Elverson
Chester County · 1 ZIP
178PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Emporium
Cameron County · 1 ZIP
26PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Erie
Erie County · 12 ZIPs
70PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Fredericksburg
Lebanon County · 1 ZIP
138PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Glen Rock
York County · 1 ZIP
153PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Horsham
Montgomery County · 2 ZIPs
114PPM regional
Regional range 110–118.5No active flag
Houtzdale
Clearfield County · 1 ZIP
170PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Irvona
Clearfield County · 1 ZIP
53PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Johnsonburg
Elk County · 1 ZIP
35PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Knox
Clarion County · 1 ZIP
93PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest regional-evidence county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bucks County | 219 PPM | 219–219 | 1 |
| Jefferson County | 162 PPM | 157–166 | 2 |
| Clearfield County | 158 PPM | 53.4–170 | 3 |
| Cumberland County | 154 PPM | 154–154 | 1 |
| Dauphin County | 153 PPM | 152.5–152.5 | 1 |
| York County | 152 PPM | 142–152.5 | 4 |
| Lebanon County | 138 PPM | 117–153 | 3 |
| Allegheny County | 137 PPM | 123–152 | 27 |
| Schuylkill County | 137 PPM | 119–154 | 2 |
| Bradford County | 137 PPM | 137–137 | 1 |
| Chester County | 134 PPM | 115–178 | 3 |
| Franklin County | 130 PPM | 130–130 | 1 |