Mount Holly Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
322.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.37
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 Mount Holly, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Mount Holly | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -41% |
| Washing Machine | 8.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -29% |
| Water Heater | 10.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -33% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Mount Holly compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mount Holly, North Carolina | 138.5 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Gastonia, North Carolina | 141.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | 152.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Huntersville, North Carolina | 119 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Cornelius, North Carolina | 114.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Mount Holly compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mount Holly | 138.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Mount Holly's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Mount Holly, North Carolina, in Gaston County — a Gaston County city adjacent to Belmont and Mount Holly on the Catawba River in the southwest North Carolina Piedmont — receives its water from the Mount Holly Water System or Gaston County Water, drawing from the Catawba River (Gaston County) through the southwest North Carolina distribution.
The moderately hard 138.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 322.3 mg/L reflect the southwest North Carolina Catawba River supply's moderate Piedmont calcareous character — harder than the typical Piedmont crystalline supplies but reflecting the Catawba River watershed's larger drainage area accumulating calcareous Charlotte Belt metavolcanic and minor Cambrian calcareous input. The Catawba River at Gaston County drains the North Carolina Piedmont and Blue Ridge — Precambrian Grenville Gneiss (insoluble), Precambrian Charlotte Belt Metavolcanics (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and minor Cambrian calcareous formations.
At 138.5 mg/L, Mount Holly's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Charlotte Douglas International Airport (Mecklenburg County — AFFF) and the southwest North Carolina Gaston County industrial corridor contribute to Mount Holly's readings.
Geology & Source: Mount Holly in Gaston County draws from the Mount Holly Water System on the Catawba River (Gaston County, southwest North Carolina Piedmont) — the Catawba at Gaston drains the Blue Ridge and Piedmont (Precambrian Grenville Gneiss — insoluble) with minor Cambrian calcareous formations — North Carolina Gaston County Catawba River Piedmont Precambrian-Cambrian calcareous watershed produces moderately hard water at 138.5 mg/L with TDS 322.3 mg/L.