Laurel Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
231.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 Laurel, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Laurel | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -34% |
| Washing Machine | 9.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -24% |
| Water Heater | 10.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -28% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Laurel compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Laurel, Virginia | 120.5 mg/L | 6.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Glen Allen, Virginia | 126 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Tuckahoe, Virginia | 162.5 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Richmond, Virginia | 126.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Short Pump, Virginia | 187.5 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Laurel compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Laurel | 120.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Laurel's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Laurel, Virginia, in Henrico County — an unincorporated Henrico County community adjacent to Highland Springs and Sandston in the east Richmond metro, near Richmond International Airport — receives its municipal water from Henrico County Division of Public Utilities, drawing from the James River at the Henrico County water intake (Henrico County) through the Henrico treatment plant.
The moderately hard 120.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 231.4 mg/L reflect the Henrico County James River supply's mixed Piedmont character. The James River at Henrico County drains the Virginia Piedmont — Precambrian Lynchburg Group gneiss and schist (mostly insoluble), Ordovician Arvonia Slate (low solubility), and minor Triassic Scottsville Basin redbeds (calcareous — modest hardness contributor). The predominantly insoluble Piedmont crystalline basement with minor Triassic calcareous influence produces the moderately hard Henrico supply — harder than the typical crystalline-only Piedmont but softer than the fully carbonate-influenced Virginia Limestone Valley supplies.
At 120.5 mg/L, Laurel'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 6.2 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Richmond International Airport (AFFF — the primary Laurel PFAS source, adjacent to Laurel community), and the Henrico County Richmond east metro industrial corridor contribute to Laurel's readings.
Geology & Source: Laurel in Henrico County draws from Henrico County Water on the James River (Henrico County, central Virginia) — the James at Henrico drains the Virginia Piedmont (Precambrian Lynchburg Group gneiss, Ordovician Arvonia Slate — mostly insoluble) and minor Triassic calcareous redbeds — Virginia Henrico County James River Piedmont watershed produces moderately hard water at 120.5 mg/L with TDS 231.4 mg/L in this Henrico County Virginia community.