How does Cherry Hill's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Cherry Hill (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Cherry Hill Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.009 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

507.1 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Cherry Hill, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Cherry Hill	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Cherry Hill compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Cherry Hill, Virginia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Dale City, Virginia	74 mg/L	4.6 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	reservoir
Montclair, Virginia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Lake Ridge, Virginia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Lorton, Virginia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Cherry Hill compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Cherry Hill	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Cherry Hill's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 507.1 mg/LpH: 8.3

Prince William Water serves Cherry Hill in Prince William County, Virginia, distributing water sourced from Fairfax Water. The supply primarily comes from surface water drawn from the Potomac River and Occoquan Reservoir. Fairfax Water operates critical treatment facilities, including the Corbalis and Clifton treatment plants. These plants process the raw water before it travels through extensive transmission mains to Prince William Water's distribution systems, such as East, West, Bull Run Mountain, Evergreen, and Hoadly Manor. This integrated network of surface water sources ensures a consistent and reliable water delivery to all residents and businesses.

Geologically, the area around Cherry Hill is underlain by Triassic-age sandstones found within the Culpeper Basin, specifically the New Haven Formation and Bull Run Formation. These sedimentary rocks are bordered by metamorphic rocks belonging to the Potomac Group. As water flows over and through these geological formations, and particularly where it interacts with limestone-bearing soils and bedrock, it dissolves moderate amounts of calcium and magnesium. This process contributes to the water's moderately mineralized character, distinguishing it from the softer water found in areas with granitic geology or the extremely hard water typical of karst landscapes.

Homeowners in Cherry Hill might notice scale buildup in appliances like water heaters and coffee makers, which can decrease their efficiency and shorten their lifespan. You may also find that laundry requires a bit more detergent, and soap scum can accumulate on bathroom fixtures. To combat these effects, consider deliming appliances annually and opting for low-flow fixtures. For persistent scaling issues or to maximize appliance performance, a water softener is often recommended. The water's pH, typically between 7.5 and 8.5, is managed for corrosion control, and Prince William Water adds orthophosphate to comply with lead and copper rules. While the water meets all EPA primary drinking standards, hardness is an aesthetic quality not strictly unaddressed by regulations.

Geology & Source: Triassic sedimentary rocks and Paleozoic metamorphic formations; moderate dissolution of calcium and magnesium from limestone-bearing soils and bedrock

Other Virginia Water Reports

Dale City

74 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Montclair

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Lake Ridge

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Lorton

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cherry Hill's water safe to drink?

Yes. Cherry Hill's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Cherry Hill?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Cherry Hill's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Cherry Hill compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Cherry Hill (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Cherry Hill is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.