Spring Lake Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
258.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 Spring Lake, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Spring Lake | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -34% |
| Washing Machine | 9.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -24% |
| Water Heater | 10.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -29% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Spring Lake compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Spring Lake, North Carolina | 121.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Fort Bragg, North Carolina | 93 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Fayetteville, North Carolina | 69.5 mg/L | 3.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Hope Mills, North Carolina | 98 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Sanford, North Carolina | 116 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Spring Lake compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Spring Lake | 121.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Spring Lake home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Spring Lake's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Spring Lake, North Carolina, in Cumberland County — a Cumberland County town adjacent to Fayetteville and Hope Mills in south-central North Carolina — receives its water from the Fayetteville PWC, drawing from the Cape Fear River (Cumberland County) through the Fayetteville metro distribution.
The moderately hard 121.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 258.7 mg/L reflect the south-central North Carolina Cumberland County Cape Fear River supply's moderate calcareous character — consistent with the upper Cape Fear Sandhills corridor where the river passes over Triassic calcareous formations before entering the Coastal Plain, similar to the Piney Green-Onslow County supply nearby. The Cape Fear River at Cumberland County — Triassic Deep River Basin (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Cretaceous Middendorf Formation (insoluble — dilutant), and Quaternary Coastal Plain alluvium (slightly calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 121.5 mg/L, Spring Lake'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 6.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Fort Bragg (Cumberland County — AFFF, now Fort Liberty) is a major contributor to Spring Lake's PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Spring Lake in Cumberland County draws from the Fayetteville PWC on the Cape Fear River (Cumberland County, south-central North Carolina) — the Cape Fear River at Cumberland County drains the Sandhills (Cretaceous Middendorf Formation — insoluble) over Triassic Deep River Basin (slightly calcareous) — North Carolina Cumberland County Cape Fear River Cretaceous-Triassic Coastal Plain supply produces moderately hard water at 121.5 mg/L with TDS 258.7 mg/L.