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Midlothian Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

55mg/L
Soft

3.2 grains per gallon

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.4

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.001 mg/L

βœ“ Below action level

TDS

117.3 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.15

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below Β· Updated 2026

55mg/L as CaCO₃Soft

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 Midlothian, your appliances are currently losing 7% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn MidlothianSoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
7.8 yrs
8.5 yrs-8%
Washing Machine
11.6 yrs
12 yrs-3%
Water Heater
13.4 yrs
15 yrs-11%

Regional Water Comparison

How Midlothian compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
β–Ά Midlothian, Virginia55 mg/L3.9 ppt🟒 Softreservoir
Brandermill, Virginia55 mg/L7.9 ppt🟒 Softreservoir
Bon Air, Virginiaβ‰ˆ 120–179 mg/L6.9 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Tuckahoe, Virginiaβ‰ˆ 120–179 mg/L8.4 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Short Pump, Virginiaβ‰ˆ 120–179 mg/L9.8 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir

National Benchmark

How Midlothian compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
β–Ά Midlothian55 mg/L🟒 None
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟒 None

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What Makes Midlothian's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 117.3 mg/LpH: 7.4

Midlothian, Virginia is served by Chesterfield County's water system, which draws from three primary sources: the James River (supplied via the City of Richmond), Lake Chesdin (managed by the Appomattox River Water Authority), and Swift Creek Reservoir. These sources collectively supply the Chesterfield County service area, which includes Midlothian and surrounding communities throughout the Richmond metropolitan region. Water is treated at county facilities to meet or exceed all federal drinking-water standards, with residents able to reach the utilities quality assurance coordinator at 804-748-1310.

Midlothian's water supply originates in the Piedmont physiographic province, underlain by metamorphic and granitic bedrock of Precambrian to Paleozoic age. The James River and Swift Creek Reservoir drain watersheds composed of these crystalline formations, which weather to produce naturally soft water. The low mineral content typical of Piedmont surface waters and groundwater in granitic aquifers results in minimal calcium and magnesium carbonates, classifying the supply as soft with hardness in the range of 40–70 ppm (2.0–4.0 grains per gallon).

At this soft classification, scale buildup in appliances is minimal, and soap and detergents perform efficiently. Most households do not require a water softener. Residents concerned about water quality may contact the county utilities quality assurance coordinator at 804-748-1310 (option 2) for testing. For detailed water quality information including pH, lead and copper compliance, and treatment processes, residents should consult the county's annual Consumer Confidence Report or contact the local Virginia Department of Health office at (804) 864-7409.

Geology & Source: Piedmont province β€” Precambrian to Paleozoic metamorphic and granitic bedrock; James River and Swift Creek Reservoir drain crystalline formations; low mineral content from granitic aquifers produces soft water (40–70 ppm)

Other Virginia Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Midlothian's water safe to drink?
Yes. Midlothian's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 55 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Midlothian?
Midlothian's water is soft at 55 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.
How does Midlothian compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Midlothian (55 mg/L) is 96 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Midlothian is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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 β€” the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

pH

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock β€” values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS β€” 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.

Measured

PFAS β€” Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) β€” 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.

Modelled

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 β€” all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

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.