Gainesville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
153.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.25
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 Gainesville, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Gainesville | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -15% |
| Water Heater | 11.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Gainesville compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gainesville, Virginia | 93 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Linton Hall, Virginia | 167.5 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Bull Run, Virginia | 84.5 mg/L | 4.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Sudley, Virginia | 187.5 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Manassas Park, Virginia | 128 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Gainesville compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Gainesville | 93 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Gainesville's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Gainesville, Virginia, in Prince William County — a Prince William County community adjacent to Haymarket and Manassas in the Northern Virginia suburbs — receives its water from the Prince William County Service Authority, drawing from Lake Manassas on the Bull Run watershed through the north Virginia distribution.
The soft 93 mg/L hardness and TDS of 153.8 mg/L reflect the Prince William County Bull Run supply's soft character — the Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss is highly insoluble while Triassic Manassas Sandstone and Cambrian calcareous sediments contribute modest dissolved minerals (compare Haymarket VA: 91/148 in Prince William County comparable; Manassas VA: 95/158 in Prince William County comparable; Gainesville consistent soft from the same Prince William County Lake Manassas Precambrian supply). The Bull Run watershed — Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Triassic Manassas Sandstone (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Bull Run alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 93 mg/L with TDS 154, Gainesville's water is soft — minimal scale buildup. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.7 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review the Prince William County Service Authority's annual water quality report for the latest monitoring data.
Geology & Source: Gainesville in Prince William County draws from the Prince William Service Authority on Lake Manassas (Prince William County, north Virginia) — the Bull Run watershed drains Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss (insoluble) and Triassic Manassas Sandstone (slightly calcareous) — Virginia Prince William County Lake Manassas Precambrian supply produces soft water at 93 mg/L with TDS 153.8 mg/L.