East Highland Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
439.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.47
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 East Highland Park, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In East Highland Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -56% |
| Washing Machine | 7 yrs | 12 yrs | -42% |
| Water Heater | 8.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How East Highland Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ East Highland Park, Virginia | 177.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Mechanicsville, Virginia | 183 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Richmond, Virginia | 126.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Highland Springs, Virginia | 149.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Laurel, Virginia | 120.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How East Highland Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ East Highland Park | 177.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your East Highland Park home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes East Highland Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
East Highland Park, Virginia, in Henrico County — an unincorporated Henrico County community adjacent to Highland Springs and Sandston in the east Richmond metro — receives its water from the Henrico County Division of Public Utilities, drawing from the James River (Henrico County) through the Richmond metro distribution.
The hard 177.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 439.6 mg/L reflect the east Virginia James River supply's hard Blue Ridge and Valley calcareous character — harder than the Richmond city supply (Richmond: ~130 mg/L) due to the James River's cumulative calcareous load by the time it reaches Henrico County east of Richmond. The James River at Henrico County receives drainage from the Virginia Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Valley — Ordovician Beekmantown Dolomite (calcareous-dolomitic — primary TDS contributor), Cambrian Conococheague Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Triassic Culpeper Basin (calcareous). The cumulative Valley and Piedmont calcareous load produces the hard east Henrico supply.
At 177.5 mg/L, East Highland Park'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 9.2 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Fort Lee (Prince George County — AFFF), Defense Supply Center Richmond (Chesterfield County — AFFF), and the east Richmond James River PFAS corridor contribute to East Highland Park's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: East Highland Park in Henrico County draws from the Henrico County Division of Public Utilities on the James River (Henrico County, east Virginia) — the James River at Henrico drains the Virginia Blue Ridge (Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone, Ordovician Beekmantown Dolomite) and the Virginia Piedmont — Virginia Henrico County James River Blue Ridge-Piedmont calcareous watershed produces hard water at 177.5 mg/L with TDS 439.6 mg/L.