Leland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
365.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
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 Leland, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Leland | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -46% |
| Washing Machine | 8 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -36% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Leland compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Leland, North Carolina | 150.5 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Wilmington, North Carolina | 173.5 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Murraysville, North Carolina | 175 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Masonboro, North Carolina | 153 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | 145.5 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Leland compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Leland | 150.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Leland's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Leland, North Carolina, in Brunswick County — a Brunswick County town adjacent to Wilmington and Navassa across the Cape Fear River from Wilmington in the lower Cape Fear region, one of the fastest-growing communities in North Carolina — receives its municipal water from Brunswick County Public Utilities or the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA), drawing from the Cape Fear River in Brunswick-New Hanover Counties.
The moderately hard 150.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 365.9 mg/L are higher than expected for a Cape Fear River supply (which is generally softer through the Piedmont), reflecting the lower Cape Fear's coastal plain influence. The Cape Fear River at Wilmington-Brunswick County drains the Triassic Deep River Basin (Durham Formation — calcareous), Cretaceous Black Creek Formation (calcareous sand-clay), and the Eocene Castle Hayne Limestone (major regional carbonate aquifer recharge), explaining the elevated hardness and TDS.
At 150.5 mg/L, Leland'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 7.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — GenX chemical contamination (Chemours/DuPont Fayetteville Works — the Cape Fear River PFAS legacy is nationally significant, directly upstream of the Wilmington-Brunswick area water intake), and the Brunswick County PFAS background contribute to Leland's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Leland in Brunswick County draws from the Brunswick County Water on the Cape Fear River (Brunswick-New Hanover Counties) — the Cape Fear drains the North Carolina Piedmont (Triassic Deep River Basin calcareous) and the Coastal Plain (Cretaceous Black Creek Formation) — North Carolina Cape Fear River Triassic-Cretaceous calcareous watershed produces moderately hard water at 150.5 mg/L with TDS 365.9 mg/L in this Brunswick County North Carolina town.