Madison Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
226.9 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 Madison Heights, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Madison Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -33% |
| Washing Machine | 9.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -23% |
| Water Heater | 10.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -27% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Madison Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Madison Heights, Virginia | 118.5 mg/L | 6.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Lynchburg, Virginia | 110.5 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| West Lynchburg, Virginia | 165 mg/L | 8.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Timberlake, Virginia | 134.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Waynesboro, Virginia | 149 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Madison Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Madison Heights | 118.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Madison Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Madison Heights, Virginia, in Amherst County — an Amherst County unincorporated community adjacent to Lynchburg and Amherst on the James River in west-central Virginia — receives its water from Amherst County or Lynchburg water systems, drawing from the James River watershed through the west-central Virginia distribution.
The moderately hard 118.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 226.9 mg/L reflect the Amherst County James River supply's moderate character — the Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss is highly insoluble, while Cambrian Chilhowee Formation metasandstone and Ordovician limestone contribute modest calcareous mineral content from the Blue Ridge-Valley and Ridge transition zone (compare Lynchburg VA: 115/220 in Lynchburg City comparable; Amherst VA: 121/233 in Amherst County comparable; Madison Heights consistent moderate from the same Amherst County James River Precambrian supply). The James River watershed at Amherst County — Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Chilhowee Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary James River alluvium (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 118.5 mg/L with TDS 227, Madison Heights' water is moderately hard — scale builds in appliances. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review the Amherst County or Lynchburg water utility's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Madison Heights in Amherst County draws from the Amherst County Water on the James River (Amherst County, west-central Virginia) — the James River watershed at Amherst County drains Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss (insoluble) and Cambrian Chilhowee Formation (slightly calcareous) — Virginia Amherst County James River Precambrian supply produces moderately hard water at 118.5 mg/L with TDS 226.9 mg/L.