Dranesville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
323.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.39
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 Dranesville, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Dranesville | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 8.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Dranesville compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Dranesville, Virginia | 148 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Reston, Virginia | 118.5 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Sugarland Run, Virginia | 191 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Herndon, Virginia | 134 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Great Falls, Virginia | 169 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Dranesville compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Dranesville | 148 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Dranesville's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Dranesville, Virginia, in Fairfax County — a Fairfax County unincorporated community adjacent to Great Falls and McLean along the Potomac River in northern Fairfax County — receives its water from Fairfax Water, drawing from the Potomac River through the northern Virginia distribution.
The hard 148 mg/L hardness and TDS of 323.6 mg/L reflect the Fairfax County Potomac supply's hard calcareous character — the Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss of the Great Falls corridor is largely insoluble while the Cambrian Harpers Formation phyllite and calcareous formations in the upper Potomac watershed contribute dissolved minerals (compare Great Falls VA: 144/316 in Fairfax County comparable; McLean VA: 150/328 in Fairfax County comparable; Dranesville consistent hard from the same Fairfax County Potomac Precambrian-Cambrian supply). The Potomac watershed at Fairfax County — Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss (insoluble — dilutant), Cambrian Harpers Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Potomac alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 148 mg/L with TDS 324, Dranesville's water is hard — scale builds in appliances and fixtures over months. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Fairfax County north Virginia military (Fort Belvoir) and industrial corridor contribute to Dranesville's elevated readings. Review Fairfax Water's annual water quality report for the latest data.
Geology & Source: Dranesville in Fairfax County draws from Fairfax Water on the Potomac River (Fairfax County, north Virginia) — the Potomac watershed at Fairfax County drains Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss (insoluble) and Cambrian Harpers Formation (slightly calcareous) — Virginia Fairfax County Potomac River Precambrian-Cambrian supply produces hard water at 148 mg/L with TDS 323.6 mg/L.