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Newington Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

5.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

171.7 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Newington, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn NewingtonSoft Water CityEfficiency 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 Newington compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Newington, Virginia≈ 120–179 mg/L5 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
West Springfield, Virginia≈ 120–179 mg/L8.7 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Springfield, Virginia≈ 120–179 mg/L7.1 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Lorton, Virginia≈ 120–179 mg/L4.8 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Woodlawn, Virginia123.5 mg/L6.3 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir

National Benchmark

How Newington compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Newington≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Newington's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 171.7 mg/LpH: 5.9

Fairfax Water supplies Newington, Virginia, drawing from a mix of sources including the Occoquan Reservoir via the Occoquan Watershed and local Piedmont aquifers. This water undergoes treatment at multiple facilities operated by the utility, which serves the broader northern Virginia region. The Occoquan Watershed itself spans parts of Prince William and Fairfax counties, traversing the Piedmont physiographic province before reaching the reservoir. The utility ensures drinking water quality by adhering to stringent federal standards, publishing annual reports detailing various water quality parameters and contaminant monitoring.

The geology beneath Newington is characteristic of the Virginia Piedmont, featuring ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks overlaid by Paleozoic sedimentary formations. Groundwater is sourced from Piedmont aquifers within these fractured metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. This combination of surface water from the Occoquan Reservoir and groundwater from mineral-rich underground formations contributes to the region's moderately hard water supply, a common trait for this geological area.

Homeowners in Newington might observe some mineral deposits on plumbing fixtures and notice that soap doesn't lather as readily, typical signs of moderately hard water. While not typically requiring immediate intervention, scale can build up in appliances like water heaters and dishwashers over time. To manage this, regular maintenance and occasional descaling of fixtures are recommended. Some residents, particularly those with sensitive appliances or a preference for softer water, might opt for whole-house or point-of-use water treatment systems.

Geology & Source: Piedmont metamorphic and Paleozoic sedimentary rocks; moderate hardness from dissolved minerals

Other Virginia Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Newington's water safe to drink?
Yes. Newington's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Newington?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Newington's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.
How does Newington compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Newington (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 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 Newington 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 — 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 — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

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 — 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.