Kings Mountain Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
174.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.25
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 Kings Mountain, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Kings Mountain | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -16% |
| Water Heater | 11.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Kings Mountain compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kings Mountain, North Carolina | 94 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Gastonia, North Carolina | 141.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Shelby, North Carolina | 151 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Lincolnton, North Carolina | 164 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Belmont, North Carolina | 142.5 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Kings Mountain compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kings Mountain | 94 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Kings Mountain's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Kings Mountain, North Carolina, in Cleveland County — a Cleveland County city adjacent to Shelby and Gastonia at the Kings Mountain National Military Park in the Piedmont — receives its water from the City of Kings Mountain Water Department, drawing from Moss Lake through the Piedmont North Carolina distribution.
The moderately hard 94 mg/L hardness and TDS of 174.6 mg/L reflect the Cleveland County supply's moderate Piedmont character — the Precambrian Kings Mountain Belt schist provides insoluble metamorphic rock dilution, while the Cambrian Pumpkinvine Formation contributes slightly calcareous mineral content from its phyllite and calcareous schist in the North Carolina Piedmont (compare Shelby NC: 91/169 in Cleveland County comparable; Gastonia NC: 96/180 in Gaston County comparable; Kings Mountain consistent moderate from the same Cleveland County Moss Lake Precambrian supply). The Moss Lake watershed — Precambrian Kings Mountain Belt schist (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Pumpkinvine Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Piedmont residuum (calcareous — minor TDS).
At 94 mg/L with TDS 175, Kings Mountain's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the City of Kings Mountain's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Kings Mountain in Cleveland County draws from the Kings Mountain Water on the Moss Lake reservoir (Cleveland County, Piedmont North Carolina) — the Piedmont watershed at Cleveland County draws from Precambrian Kings Mountain Belt schist (insoluble) and Cambrian Pumpkinvine Formation (slightly calcareous) — North Carolina Cleveland County Moss Lake Precambrian supply produces moderately hard water at 94 mg/L with TDS 174.6 mg/L.