Radford Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
129.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.22
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 Radford, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Radford | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -19% |
| Washing Machine | 10.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -18% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Radford compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Radford, Virginia | 82.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Christiansburg, Virginia | 92.5 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Blacksburg, Virginia | 109 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Salem, Virginia | 116 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Cave Spring, Virginia | 156.5 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Radford compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Radford | 82.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Radford's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Radford, Virginia — an independent City of Radford adjacent to Christiansburg and Blacksburg on the New River in the New River Valley of southwest Virginia, home of Radford University — receives its municipal water from Radford Water, drawing from the New River at the Radford intake through the city treatment plant.
The soft 82.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 129.9 mg/L reflect the New River's Valley and Ridge-Blue Ridge mixed supply character. The New River at Radford drains the Virginia Valley and Ridge — Ordovician Trenton Limestone (some carbonate), Cambrian Elbrook Formation dolomite (minor carbonate), and the Precambrian Blue Ridge crystalline complex (insoluble granite and gneiss — the dominant upstream insoluble water source). The Blue Ridge crystalline dominance produces the soft supply.
At 82.5 mg/L, Radford's water is soft — essentially no scale forms, soap lathers abundantly, and appliances maintain good efficiency. Annual descaling is sufficient. The PFAS level of 4.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (New River — a historic PFAS and explosives contamination site in the New River Valley), and the southwest Virginia PFAS background contribute to Radford's readings.
Geology & Source: Radford in the City of Radford draws from Radford Water on the New River (City of Radford, Virginia) — the New River drains the Virginia Valley and Ridge (Ordovician Trenton Limestone, Cambrian Elbrook Formation dolomite, Precambrian Blue Ridge crystalline) — Virginia New River Valley and Ridge watershed produces soft water at 82.5 mg/L with TDS 129.9 mg/L in this Radford City Virginia community.