Highland Springs Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
329.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
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 Highland Springs, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Highland Springs | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 8.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -33% |
| Water Heater | 9.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -36% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Highland Springs compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Highland Springs, Virginia | 149.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Mechanicsville, Virginia | 183 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| East Highland Park, Virginia | 177.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Richmond, Virginia | 126.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Meadowbrook, Virginia | 164 mg/L | 8.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Highland Springs compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Highland Springs | 149.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Highland Springs home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Highland Springs's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Highland Springs, Virginia, in Henrico County — an unincorporated Henrico County community adjacent to Richmond and Seven Pines in the east Richmond suburb — receives its municipal water from Henrico County Division of Public Utilities, drawing from the James River (Henrico County) through the east Richmond metro treatment system.
The moderately hard 149.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 329.5 mg/L reflect the east Richmond James River supply's moderate calcareous character — harder than the north Virginia Occoquan-fed communities (Hybla Valley: 93.5 mg/L) due to the James River's concentrated Triassic Richmond Basin calcareous arkose and Ordovician carbonate input from the Virginia Blue Ridge. The James River at Henrico County drains the Virginia Blue Ridge — Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone (mostly insoluble), Triassic Richmond Basin (calcareous redbed arkose — primary hardness contributor), and Ordovician Martinsburg Formation (slightly calcareous). The Triassic calcareous basin produces the moderately hard east Richmond supply.
At 149.5 mg/L, Highland Springs' 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 7.7 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Defense Supply Center Richmond (Henrico County — AFFF, directly adjacent to the James River above the Henrico intake), and the Richmond metro industrial PFAS complex contribute to Highland Springs' elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Highland Springs in Henrico County draws from the Henrico County Water on the James River (Henrico County, east Virginia) — the James drains the Virginia Blue Ridge (Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone, Triassic Richmond Basin calcareous) — Virginia Henrico County James River Blue Ridge-Triassic watershed produces moderately hard water at 149.5 mg/L with TDS 329.5 mg/L in this Henrico County Virginia community.