Glen Allen Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
248.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.34
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 Glen Allen, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Glen Allen | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -36% |
| Washing Machine | 8.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -26% |
| Water Heater | 10.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -29% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Glen Allen compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Glen Allen, Virginia | 126 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Laurel, Virginia | 120.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Tuckahoe, Virginia | 162.5 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Short Pump, Virginia | 187.5 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Richmond, Virginia | 126.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Glen Allen compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Glen Allen | 126 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Glen Allen's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Glen Allen, Virginia, in Henrico County — an unincorporated Henrico County community adjacent to Mechanicsville and Short Pump in the north 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 moderately hard 126 mg/L hardness and TDS of 248.8 mg/L are softer than the East Highland Park Henrico James River supply (177.5 mg/L) — reflecting Glen Allen's north Henrico County position where the James River supply is drawn from a different blend or the distribution zone has different water mixing. The James River at Henrico County receives the same Virginia Blue Ridge calcareous drainage — Cambrian Conococheague Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Beekmantown Dolomite (calcareous-dolomitic), and Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone (insoluble dilutant).
At 126 mg/L, Glen Allen'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 6.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Fort Lee (Prince George County — AFFF), Defense Supply Center Richmond (Chesterfield County — AFFF), and the north Richmond James River PFAS corridor contribute to Glen Allen's readings.
Geology & Source: Glen Allen in Henrico County draws from the Henrico County Division of Public Utilities on the James River (Henrico County, north Richmond metro) — the James River at Henrico drains the Virginia Blue Ridge (Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone, Ordovician Beekmantown Dolomite) — Virginia Henrico County James River Blue Ridge-Valley calcareous watershed produces moderately hard water at 126 mg/L with TDS 248.8 mg/L.