Kings Park West Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
6.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
279 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Kings Park West, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Kings Park West | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Kings Park West compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kings Park West, Virginia | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Burke, Virginia | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Fairfax Station, Virginia | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Fairfax, Virginia | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Oakton, Virginia | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Kings Park West compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kings Park West | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Kings Park West's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Kings Park West, an unincorporated community in Fairfax County, Virginia, receives its drinking water from Fairfax Water, a utility serving over 2 million residents. The water supply is a blend drawn primarily from the Potomac River and the Occoquan Reservoir in Prince William County. Treatment occurs at two major facilities: the Potomac Treatment Plant in Fairfax County, with a capacity of 275 million gallons daily, and the Corbalis Treatment Plant at Occoquan, capable of processing 75 million gallons per day. These surface water sources undergo a rigorous conventional treatment process, including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection, before being distributed to homes and businesses.
The region's geology significantly influences the water's mineral content. The Potomac River watershed flows through the Piedmont physiographic province, encountering Paleozoic metamorphic rocks like schists and gneisses from the Glenarm Series. Additionally, limestone and dolomite outcrops in tributary valleys contribute dissolved calcium and magnesium. The Occoquan Reservoir is situated over Triassic sedimentary formations of the Culpeper Basin. These bedrock formations, combined with interactions with the soil, result in a moderately mineralized water supply, naturally harder than systems relying solely on rainwater.
This moderately hard water can lead to scale buildup in appliances like hot water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, potentially reducing their efficiency and lifespan. You might notice reduced lathering from soap and detergents, requiring more product for cleaning tasks. Homeowners often find faucet aerators and showerheads become clogged more frequently. Regular descaling of appliances with vinegar, flushing water heaters, and installing sediment filters can help manage these effects. For persistent issues such as spotting on glassware or dry skin after showering, a water softener is often recommended to extend equipment life and improve cleaning performance.
Geology & Source: Piedmont metamorphic terrain; Paleozoic schists, gneisses, limestone, dolomite, and Triassic sedimentary formations impart moderate hardness.
Other Virginia Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kings Park West's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Kings Park West?
How does Kings Park West compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Kings Park West is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
Water Hardness
Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
TDS — Total Dissolved Solids
Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.
PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.
Lead
Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.
Appliance Lifespan
Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.