Is Virginia tap water hard or soft?
Mostly not. 21 % of the 19 cities with published data in Virginia have hard or very hard water (over 120 mg/L). The median is 3.6 gpg, from 1.2 gpg in Martinsville to 11.2 gpg in Alexandria.
We have published hardness data for 19 cities in Virginia. The median is 3.6 gpg; the hardest water is in Alexandria (11.2 gpg), the softest in Martinsville (1.2 gpg).
21 % 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 Virginia, hardest first
| gpg | mg/L | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | 11.2 | 191 | very hard |
| Waverly | 10.1 | 173 | hard |
| Alexandria | 7.9 | 135 | hard |
| Vienna | 7.5 | 128 | hard |
| Williamsburg | 7 | 119 | moderately hard |
| Poquoson | 5.3 | 91 | moderately hard |
| Hampton | 4 | 69 | moderately hard |
| Harrisonburg | 3.9 | 67 | moderately hard |
| Newport News | 3.9 | 67 | moderately hard |
| Virginia Beach | 3.6 | 61 | moderately hard |
| Fort Lee | 2.9 | 50 | soft |
| Hopewell | 2.9 | 50 | soft |
| Montross | 2.9 | 50 | soft |
| Norfolk | 2.9 | 49 | soft |
| Manassas | 2.7 | 47 | soft |
| Chesapeake | 2.3 | 40 | soft |
| Charlottesville | 1.8 | 31 | soft |
| Portsmouth | 1.5 | 25 | soft |
| Martinsville | 1.2 | 20 | soft |
FAQ
Is Virginia water hard or soft?
Mostly not. 21 % of the 19 cities we cover have hard or very hard water; the median is 3.6 gpg.
Which city in Virginia has the hardest water?
Alexandria, at 11.2 gpg, has the hardest water of the 19 cities with published data.
Which city in Virginia has the softest water?
Martinsville, at 1.2 gpg, has the softest water of the 19 cities with published data.
Do I need a water softener in Virginia?
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 Virginia the values range from 1.2 gpg to 11.2 gpg.
On a private well? Well water hardness in Virginia by county →