Idylwood Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
158.4 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 Idylwood, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Idylwood | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -16% |
| Water Heater | 11.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Idylwood compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Idylwood, Virginia | 95 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Merrifield, Virginia | 191 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Tysons, Virginia | 178.5 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| West Falls Church, Virginia | 126.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Falls Church, Virginia | 122.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Idylwood compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Idylwood | 95 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Idylwood's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Idylwood, Virginia, in Fairfax County — an unincorporated Fairfax County community adjacent to Falls Church and Merrifield in the east Fairfax County corridor — receives its municipal water from Fairfax Water, drawing from the Potomac River at the Fairfax Water Low Dam intake (Fairfax County) through the Corbalis Water Treatment Plant.
The moderately soft 95 mg/L hardness and TDS of 158.4 mg/L are softer than other Potomac-supplied WSSC communities (Glassmanor: 137 mg/L), reflecting that Fairfax Water treats a slightly different Potomac River source location (above the WSSC intake) where the Blue Ridge crystalline insoluble input proportion is greater. The Potomac River above Fairfax County draws more from the Precambrian Blue Ridge (insoluble) and less from the carbonate Valley and Ridge tributaries.
At 95 mg/L, Idylwood's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Fairfax County northern Virginia suburban-federal corridor, Dulles Airport (AFFF), and the Potomac River mid-Atlantic PFAS background contribute to Idylwood's readings.
Geology & Source: Idylwood in Fairfax County draws from Fairfax Water on the Potomac River (Fairfax County, Virginia) — the Potomac drains the Virginia Blue Ridge (Precambrian Old Rag Granite) and the Valley and Ridge (Ordovician Frederick Limestone, Cambrian Conococheague dolomite) — Virginia Fairfax County Potomac River Blue Ridge-Valley and Ridge watershed produces moderately soft water at 95 mg/L with TDS 158.4 mg/L in this Fairfax County Virginia community.