Colonial Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
306.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.38
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 Colonial Heights, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Colonial Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -42% |
| Washing Machine | 8.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -31% |
| Water Heater | 9.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -34% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Colonial Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Colonial Heights, Virginia | 143 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Petersburg, Virginia | 103 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Chester, Virginia | 197 mg/L | 10.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Hopewell, Virginia | 183 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Meadowbrook, Virginia | 164 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Colonial Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Colonial Heights | 143 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Colonial Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Colonial Heights, Virginia — an independent city adjacent to Petersburg and Prince George County on the Appomattox River in the south Virginia Piedmont, a historic Civil War-era city — receives its municipal water from the Colonial Heights Department of Utilities, drawing from the Appomattox River at the Colonial Heights-Petersburg intake.
The moderately hard 143 mg/L hardness and TDS of 306.2 mg/L reflect the Virginia Piedmont Appomattox River supply. The Appomattox River above Colonial Heights drains the Virginia Piedmont — the Triassic Taylorsville Basin (Newark Supergroup calcareous redbeds, similar to the Richmond Basin — significant carbonate contribution), Precambrian Petersburg Granite (insoluble), and the Appalachian Blue Ridge crystalline foothills (insoluble). The Triassic basin calcareous redbeds explain the elevated hardness for a Virginia Piedmont supply.
At 143 mg/L, Colonial Heights' water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and bathroom fixtures develop calcium deposits. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Fort Gregg-Adams (Petersburg — US Army AFFF in the Appomattox watershed), the Richmond-Petersburg industrial corridor, and the Virginia Piedmont PFAS background contribute to Colonial Heights' elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Colonial Heights in Virginia draws from the Colonial Heights Department of Utilities on the Appomattox River (Colonial Heights-Petersburg, Virginia) — the Appomattox drains the Virginia Piedmont (Triassic Taylorsville Basin calcareous, Precambrian Petersburg Granite) — Virginia Piedmont Appomattox River Triassic-Precambrian watershed produces moderately hard water at 143 mg/L with TDS 306.2 mg/L in this Colonial Heights Virginia city.