Fort Hunt Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
312.8 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 Fort Hunt, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Fort Hunt | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -44% |
| Washing Machine | 8.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -32% |
| Water Heater | 9.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -35% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Fort Hunt compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fort Hunt, Virginia | 145 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hybla Valley, Virginia | 93.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Fort Washington, Maryland | 98.5 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Groveton, Virginia | 195 mg/L | 10.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Mount Vernon, Virginia | 104.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Fort Hunt compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Fort Hunt | 145 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Fort Hunt's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Fort Hunt, Virginia, in Fairfax County — an unincorporated Fairfax County community adjacent to Mount Vernon and Hybla Valley along the Potomac River in south Fairfax County — receives its municipal water from Fairfax Water, drawing from the Potomac River (Fairfax Water Frederick Douglass WTP, south Fairfax) or from the Occoquan Reservoir service area through the south Fairfax distribution system.
The moderately hard 145 mg/L hardness and TDS of 312.8 mg/L are harder than central-north Fairfax readings (Vienna: 85.5 mg/L; Wolf Trap: 114.5 mg/L), reflecting the south Fairfax zone's potential Occoquan blend or the Frederick Douglass WTP's different Potomac tributary source — closer to the Triassic Newark calcareous redbed input from the upper Potomac tributaries. The south Fairfax distribution zone produces the harder Fairfax Water reading at Fort Hunt.
At 145 mg/L, Fort Hunt'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 7.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Naval Support Facility Indian Head (Charles County — AFFF, directly on the Potomac) and the Washington DC metro PFAS complex contribute to Fort Hunt's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Fort Hunt in Fairfax County draws from Fairfax Water on the Potomac River or Occoquan Reservoir (Fairfax County, south Virginia) — the Occoquan-Potomac at south Fairfax combines Blue Ridge (Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone) and Triassic Newark calcareous redbeds — Virginia Fairfax County Potomac-Occoquan Piedmont watershed produces moderately hard water at 145 mg/L with TDS 312.8 mg/L in this Fairfax County Virginia community.