Forest Acres Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
323.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.35
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 Forest Acres, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Forest Acres | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -39% |
| Washing Machine | 8.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -28% |
| Water Heater | 10.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -31% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Forest Acres compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Forest Acres, South Carolina | 133 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Columbia, South Carolina | 98.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Dentsville, South Carolina | 145 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| West Columbia, South Carolina | 75 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Cayce, South Carolina | 140.5 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Forest Acres compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Forest Acres | 133 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Forest Acres home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Forest Acres's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Forest Acres, South Carolina, in Richland County — a Richland County city adjacent to Columbia and Cayce in the central South Carolina capital region — receives its water from Columbia Water, drawing from the Saluda River and Lake Murray through the central South Carolina distribution.
The moderately hard 133 mg/L hardness and TDS of 323.8 mg/L reflect the Richland County supply's moderate Piedmont character — the Precambrian Piedmont Crystalline provides insoluble dilution, while the Cambrian Carolina Slate Belt contributes slightly calcareous mineral content from its phyllite and calcareous schist in the South Carolina Piedmont (compare Columbia SC: 129/313 in Richland County comparable; Cayce SC: 136/334 in Lexington County comparable; Forest Acres consistent moderate from the same Richland County Saluda River Precambrian supply). The Saluda watershed — Precambrian Piedmont Crystalline (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Carolina Slate Belt (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Saluda River alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 133 mg/L with TDS 324, Forest Acres' water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review Columbia Water's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Forest Acres in Richland County draws from the Columbia Water on the Saluda River supply (Richland County, central South Carolina) — the Saluda watershed draws from Precambrian Piedmont Crystalline (insoluble) and Cambrian Carolina Slate Belt (slightly calcareous) — South Carolina Richland County Saluda River Precambrian supply produces moderately hard water at 133 mg/L with TDS 323.8 mg/L.