Falls Church Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
237.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.33
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 Falls Church, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Falls Church | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -34% |
| Washing Machine | 9.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -24% |
| Water Heater | 10.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -29% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Falls Church compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Falls Church, Virginia | 122.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| West Falls Church, Virginia | 126.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Idylwood, Virginia | 95 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Baileys Crossroads, Virginia | 112 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| McLean, Virginia | 173 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Falls Church compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Falls Church | 122.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Falls Church's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Falls Church, Virginia — an independent city in the northern Virginia metro adjacent to Arlington and Fairfax in the Washington DC suburbs — receives its water from Fairfax Water, drawing from the Potomac River through the northern Virginia distribution.
The moderately hard 122.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 237.1 mg/L are slightly harder than the DC communities (Barracks Row: 113 mg/L) — reflecting the same Potomac River supply but slight differences in treatment output across the Fairfax Water distribution versus the DC Water system. The Potomac River at Fairfax County drains — Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone (slightly calcareous — minor contributor), Cambrian Frederick Limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Martinsburg Shale (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Precambrian gneiss (insoluble — dilutant).
At 122.5 mg/L, Falls Church's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (DC — AFFF) and the northern Virginia DC suburbs military-industrial corridor contribute to Falls Church's readings.
Geology & Source: Falls Church in Fairfax County area draws from the Fairfax Water on the Potomac River (Fairfax County, north Virginia) — the Potomac at Fairfax drains the Blue Ridge (Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone — slightly calcareous) and Cambrian Frederick Limestone — Virginia Fairfax County Potomac River Blue Ridge-Cambrian calcareous watershed produces moderately hard water at 122.5 mg/L with TDS 237.1 mg/L.