Buckhall Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
521.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.52
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 Buckhall, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Buckhall | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -64% |
| Washing Machine | 6.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -48% |
| Water Heater | 7.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -48% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Buckhall compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Buckhall, Virginia | 196 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Manassas, Virginia | 127.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Manassas Park, Virginia | 128 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Sudley, Virginia | 187.5 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Bull Run, Virginia | 84.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Buckhall compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Buckhall | 196 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Buckhall's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Buckhall, Virginia, in Prince William County — an unincorporated Prince William County community adjacent to Manassas and Dale City in the outer Northern Virginia DC suburbs — receives its municipal water from the Prince William County Service Authority (PWCSA), drawing from Occoquan Reservoir (Prince William-Fairfax County line) through the PWCSA water treatment plant.
The hard 196 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 521.5 mg/L are dramatically harder than the nearby Fairfax Water Potomac supply (Vienna: 85.5 mg/L), reflecting the Occoquan watershed's stronger calcareous Piedmont character. The Occoquan Reservoir receives inflow from the Occoquan Creek drainage — Triassic Newark Basin Brunswick Formation (calcareous red shale), Cambrian Catoctin Formation (calcareous — harder than the Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone in Fairfax), and Cambrian Chilhowee Group (calcareous), producing the harder outer Northern Virginia supply.
At 196 mg/L, Buckhall's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 10.2 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Quantico Marine Corps Base (Prince William County — AFFF, the dominant outer Northern Virginia PFAS source), and the Washington DC metro PFAS complex contribute to Buckhall's very elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Buckhall in Prince William County draws from the Prince William County Service Authority on Occoquan Reservoir (Prince William County, north Virginia) — the Occoquan drains the Virginia Piedmont (Triassic Newark Basin calcareous, Cambrian Catoctin Limestone) and Blue Ridge calcareous — Virginia Prince William County Occoquan Piedmont-Triassic watershed produces hard water at 196 mg/L with TDS 521.5 mg/L in this Prince William County Virginia community.