Mount Vernon Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
183.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.28
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 Mount Vernon, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Mount Vernon | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -27% |
| Washing Machine | 9.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -19% |
| Water Heater | 11.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -24% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Mount Vernon compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mount Vernon, Virginia | 104.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Woodlawn, Virginia | 123.5 mg/L | 6.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hybla Valley, Virginia | 93.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Fort Hunt, Virginia | 145 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Groveton, Virginia | 195 mg/L | 10.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Mount Vernon compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mount Vernon | 104.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Mount Vernon's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Mount Vernon, Virginia, in Fairfax County — a Fairfax County unincorporated community adjacent to Alexandria and Lorton on the Potomac River in north Virginia — receives its water from the Fairfax Water, drawing from the Potomac River (Fairfax County) through the north Virginia distribution.
The moderately soft 104.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 183.9 mg/L reflect the north Virginia Fairfax County Potomac supply's moderate character — softer than the Maryland Montgomery County WSSC Potomac supply (Kemp Mill MD: 183/463) because Fairfax Water's treatment process in Virginia produces a softer result than the WSSC Maryland distribution for the same Potomac River source. The Potomac River at Fairfax County — Cretaceous Potomac Group (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Precambrian Loudoun Formation (insoluble — primary dilutant), and Quaternary Potomac River alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 104.5 mg/L with TDS 184, Mount Vernon's water is moderately soft. Appliances last well with standard maintenance. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Fairfax County north Virginia military (Fort Belvoir) and urban-industrial corridor contribute to Mount Vernon's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Mount Vernon in Fairfax County draws from the Fairfax Water on the Potomac River (Fairfax County, north Virginia) — the Potomac watershed at Fairfax County drains the Virginia Piedmont (Precambrian Loudoun Formation — insoluble) and Cretaceous Potomac Group (slightly calcareous) — Virginia Fairfax County Potomac River Precambrian-Cretaceous supply produces moderately soft water at 104.5 mg/L with TDS 183.9 mg/L.