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Davidson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

3.4mg/L
Soft

0.2 grains per gallon

Source

groundwater

pH Level

8.2

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

βœ“ Below action level

TDS

420.2 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.01

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below Β· Updated 2026

3.4mg/L as CaCO₃Soft

0–60

mg/L

Soft

61–120

mg/L

Moderately Hard

121–180

mg/L

Hard

180+

mg/L

Very Hard

Appliance Damage Report

In Davidson, your appliances are currently losing 0% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn DavidsonSoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
9.5 yrs
8.5 yrsβ€”
Washing Machine
13.5 yrs
12 yrsβ€”
Water Heater
15.5 yrs
15 yrsβ€”

Regional Water Comparison

How Davidson compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
β–Ά Davidson, North Carolina3.4 mg/L8.6 ppt🟒 Softgroundwater
Cornelius, North Carolinaβ‰ˆ 0–60 mg/L6.1 ppt🟒 Softgroundwater
Mooresville, North Carolinaβ‰ˆ 0–60 mg/L0 ppt🟒 Softreservoir
Huntersville, North Carolinaβ‰ˆ 0–60 mg/L6.3 ppt🟒 Softreservoir
Kannapolis, North Carolinaβ‰ˆ 0–60 mg/L14.2 ppt🟒 Softreservoir

National Benchmark

How Davidson compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
β–Ά Davidson3.4 mg/L🟒 None
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟒 None

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What Makes Davidson's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 420.2 mg/LpH: 8.2

Davidson Water, Inc. draws its supply from the Yadkin River, a major waterway originating in the Blue Ridge Mountains and flowing through the Piedmont region of North Carolina. The Koontz Road water treatment plant, located near Highway 64 West in Lexington, NC, processes this surface water for an estimated 148,000 residents across Davidson County and surrounding areas, including Lexington and Davidson. Conventional treatment methods such as coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection are employed to ensure the water meets safety standards.

The Yadkin River watershed, spanning over 7,000 square miles, passes through areas dominated by ancient metamorphic rocks like feldspathic gneiss and mica schist, characteristic of the Carolina Slate Belt in the Piedmont. These geological formations contain very few sedimentary limestone layers. This specific rock composition means there are naturally low levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium, which are the primary minerals contributing to water hardness, resulting in the very soft water supplied to consumers.

Because the water is very soft, homeowners will notice that soap lathers easily, requiring less detergent and soap. Scale buildup on pipes, fixtures, and appliances like water heaters and dishwashers is significantly minimized, which can extend their lifespan and reduce maintenance. While a water softener isn't generally recommended due to the already low mineral content, it's always wise to monitor your plumbing for potential corrosion, a slight risk with soft water supplies. Davidson Water's tap water consistently meets all federal safety standards, with lead and copper levels well below action limits.

Geology & Source: Yadkin River; Blue Ridge Mountains; Piedmont metamorphic and igneous rocks; low levels of calcium and magnesium yield soft water

Other North Carolina Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Davidson's water safe to drink?
Yes. Davidson's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 3.4 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Davidson?
Davidson's water is soft at 3.4 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.
How does Davidson compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Davidson (3.4 mg/L) is 147 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Davidson is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city β€” the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

pH

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock β€” values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS β€” Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS β€” Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) β€” sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age β€” all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.