Elizabeth City Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
332.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.38
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
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 Elizabeth City, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Elizabeth City | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -42% |
| Washing Machine | 8.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -31% |
| Water Heater | 9.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -34% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Elizabeth City compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Elizabeth City, North Carolina | 142.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Chesapeake, Virginia | 196.5 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Portsmouth Heights, Virginia | 169.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| South Suffolk, Virginia | 120 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Portsmouth, Virginia | 169 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Elizabeth City compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Elizabeth City | 142.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Elizabeth City's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Elizabeth City, North Carolina, in Pasquotank County — the Pasquotank County seat adjacent to Hertford on the Pasquotank River in the Albemarle Sound region of northeastern North Carolina, a historic shipbuilding and maritime city — receives its municipal water from the Elizabeth City Water Division, drawing from the Pasquotank River (Pasquotank County) through the Elizabeth City treatment plant.
The moderately hard 142.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 332.3 mg/L are higher than expected for a North Carolina Coastal Plain surface water supply (most Outer Coastal Plain NC rivers are softer). The Pasquotank River at Elizabeth City drains the North Carolina Outer Coastal Plain — Cretaceous Black Creek Formation (calcareous sand-clay), Eocene Castle Hayne Limestone (major regional carbonate aquifer — significant upwelling), and Pleistocene terrace deposits. The Eocene Castle Hayne Limestone influence explains the elevated hardness for this coastal supply.
At 142.5 mg/L, Elizabeth City's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Elon University Airfield (Alamance County — AFFF in the Cape Fear watershed), Elizabeth City Coast Guard Air Station (AFFF), and the northeast North Carolina PFAS background contribute to Elizabeth City's readings.
Geology & Source: Elizabeth City in Pasquotank County draws from the Elizabeth City Water Division on the Pasquotank River (Pasquotank County, Albemarle Sound) — the Pasquotank drains the North Carolina Coastal Plain (Cretaceous Black Creek Formation calcareous, Pleistocene Suffolk Scarp terrace) — North Carolina Outer Coastal Plain Cretaceous calcareous drainage produces moderately hard water at 142.5 mg/L with TDS 332.3 mg/L in this Pasquotank County North Carolina city.