Water softeners and filtration in Philadelphia, PA
How hard is Philadelphia water?
Hardness, Baxter plant reported by Philadelphia Water Department: Average 101 ppm (6 grains per gallon), range 72-121 ppm (2025 report year). Hardness, Belmont plant reported by Philadelphia Water Department: Average 151 ppm (9 grains per gallon), range 99-204 ppm (2025 report year). Hardness, Queen Lane plant reported by Philadelphia Water Department: Average 169 ppm (10 grains per gallon), range 119-270 ppm (2025 report year).
Moderately hard to very hard Philadelphia Water Department's figures for Philadelphia read as moderately hard to very hard on the USGS scale.
Source: 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report – Philadelphia Water Department (Hardness in Tap Water table). Sources last checked October 27, 2026.
What does Philadelphia Water Department publish about Philadelphia water?
The Philadelphia Water Department treats water from the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers at three plants.
| Measure | As published | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness, Baxter plant | Average 101 ppm (6 grains per gallon), range 72-121 ppm | 2025 report year | 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report – Philadelphia Water Department (Hardness in Tap Water table) |
| Hardness, Belmont plant | Average 151 ppm (9 grains per gallon), range 99-204 ppm | 2025 report year | 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report – Philadelphia Water Department (Hardness in Tap Water table) |
| Hardness, Queen Lane plant | Average 169 ppm (10 grains per gallon), range 119-270 ppm | 2025 report year | 2025 Drinking Water Quality Report – Philadelphia Water Department (Hardness in Tap Water table) |
- Baxter draws from the Delaware River. Belmont and Queen Lane draw from the Schuylkill.
Philadelphia water by treatment plant: where each one serves, its own figures and how it is treated.
What does 72 to 270 mg/L mean for a Philadelphia home?
72 to 270 mg/L is about 4.2 to 15.8 grains per gallon. The low end, 72 mg/L, is 48 mg/L under the 120 mg/L top of the USGS moderately hard class; Philadelphia's high end, 270 mg/L, is 90 mg/L over the 180 mg/L line where the USGS very hard class starts. (USGS hardness classes)
Which systems fit Philadelphia water?
How does a Philadelphia quote work?
- Send a request from one of the 49 Philadelphia ZIP codes listed below.
- An assessment at your home, where your tap can be checked against Philadelphia Water Department's published 72 to 270 mg/L.
- You get a written quote listing what is included.
- Installation and service by that company.
Common questions
- How hard is the water in Philadelphia?
- Hardness, Baxter plant reported by Philadelphia Water Department: Average 101 ppm (6 grains per gallon), range 72-121 ppm (2025 report year). Hardness, Belmont plant reported by Philadelphia Water Department: Average 151 ppm (9 grains per gallon), range 99-204 ppm (2025 report year). Hardness, Queen Lane plant reported by Philadelphia Water Department: Average 169 ppm (10 grains per gallon), range 119-270 ppm (2025 report year).
- Is Philadelphia water hard or soft?
- Moderately hard to very hard. The low end, 72 mg/L, is 48 mg/L under the 120 mg/L top of the USGS moderately hard class; Philadelphia's high end, 270 mg/L, is 90 mg/L over the 180 mg/L line where the USGS very hard class starts.
- How many grains per gallon is Philadelphia water?
- In grains per gallon, as published: 6 grains per gallon (Philadelphia Water Department, hardness, baxter plant, 2025 report year); 9 grains per gallon (Philadelphia Water Department, hardness, belmont plant, 2025 report year); 10 grains per gallon (Philadelphia Water Department, hardness, queen lane plant, 2025 report year).
- Where does Philadelphia tap water come from?
- The Baxter plant draws from the Delaware River, and the Queen Lane and Belmont plants draw from the Schuylkill. Source: Philadelphia Water Department 2025 water quality report.
- Does water differ across Philadelphia?
- Hardness depends on which treatment plant serves your part of the city, and the department says seasonal changes can affect taste and odor. Source: Philadelphia Water Department 2025 water quality report.
- Is Philadelphia water treated with chlorine or chloramine?
- Philadelphia Water Department disinfects with chloramine, a combination of chlorine and ammonia. Source: Philadelphia Water Department 2025 water quality report. That matters when choosing a filter for a Philadelphia home: catalytic carbon is the activated-carbon type designed to adsorb chloramine (NDSU Extension, Filtration: Sediment, Activated Carbon, and Mixed Media). A softener leaves Philadelphia Water Department's disinfectant in the water.
- How does Philadelphia water compare with nearby cities?
- Published hardness in Philadelphia spans 72 to 270 mg/L. Nearby: Allentown 180 to 284 mg/L (converted from grains).
- Do I need a water softener in Philadelphia?
- Philadelphia Water Department publishes 72 to 270 mg/L for Philadelphia, which reads as moderately hard to very hard. A test at your house shows whether your tap matches it.
- How much does a water softener cost in Philadelphia?
- We publish no prices for Philadelphia. The installing company gives a written quote after an assessment at your home.
- Who installs the system?
- We have not named a local installing company for Philadelphia yet. We will tell you the company's name and ask you before your request is shared with anyone.
- Is Philadelphia Water Systems part of the city or the water utility?
- No. Philadelphia Water Systems is not affiliated with Philadelphia Water Department; it copies and links the published figures.
- Is booking an assessment a purchase?
- No, and a request commits you to nothing.
Which ZIP codes does this page cover?
19102, 19103, 19104, 19106, 19107, 19108, 19109, 19111, 19112, 19114, 19115, 19116, 19118, 19119, 19120, 19121, 19122, 19123, 19124, 19125, 19126, 19127, 19128, 19129, 19130, 19131, 19132, 19133, 19134, 19135, 19136, 19137, 19138, 19139, 19140, 19141, 19142, 19143, 19144, 19145, 19146, 19147, 19148, 19149, 19150, 19151, 19152, 19153, 19154
Compare published hardness in other cities on hard water by city.
Machine-readable facts: water.json. Summary for AI assistants: llms.txt.