Roanoke Rapids Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
316.8 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 Roanoke Rapids, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Roanoke Rapids | 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 Roanoke Rapids compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina | 138 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Rocky Mount, North Carolina | 161 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Henderson, North Carolina | 154.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Wilson, North Carolina | 174 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Petersburg, Virginia | 103 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Roanoke Rapids compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Roanoke Rapids | 138 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Roanoke Rapids's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, in Halifax County — a Halifax County city adjacent to Weldon and Gaston on the Roanoke River in north-central North Carolina near the Virginia border — receives its municipal water from the Roanoke Rapids Water Division, drawing from Lake Gaston (Roanoke River, Halifax County) through the north-central North Carolina water treatment system.
The moderately hard 138 mg/L hardness and TDS of 316.8 mg/L reflect the north-central North Carolina Lake Gaston supply's moderate calcareous character — consistent with nearby Eden, NC (Dan River: 130.5 mg/L), driven by similar Virginia Blue Ridge foothills geology. Lake Gaston (Roanoke River) drains the Virginia-NC Blue Ridge foothills — Triassic Dan River Basin Formation (calcareous redbed — moderate hardness contributor), Precambrian Bassett Formation (slightly calcareous metamorphic), and Cambrian Chilhowee Group (slightly calcareous quartzite). The Triassic calcareous redbed input produces the moderately hard north-central NC supply.
At 138 mg/L, Roanoke Rapids' 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 7.2 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Fort Bragg/Fort Liberty (Cumberland County — AFFF, the dominant central North Carolina PFAS source with Roanoke River watershed influence), and the north-central NC industrial corridor contribute to Roanoke Rapids' elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Roanoke Rapids in Halifax County draws from the Roanoke Rapids Water Division on Lake Gaston (Halifax County, north-central North Carolina) — Lake Gaston impounds the Roanoke River draining the Virginia Blue Ridge Foothills (Triassic Dan River Basin calcareous, Precambrian Bassett Formation slightly calcareous) — North Carolina Halifax County Roanoke River calcareous watershed produces moderately hard water at 138 mg/L with TDS 316.8 mg/L.