Radford Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Radford Water Utility provides drinking water to residents of Radford, Virginia — an independent city also serving parts of Montgomery and Pulaski counties. The sole source is surface water from the New River, drawn from just below Claytor Lake reservoir in southwestern Virginia. Raw river water is processed at the City of Radford Water Treatment Plant through conventional coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination disinfection to meet EPA and state standards. No groundwater wells or additional reservoirs serve as primary sources for this supply.

The New River watershed is part of the Kanawha River basin, draining the Appalachian Plateau and Valley and Ridge physiographic provinces. The river cuts through folded Paleozoic rock, with key formations including Mississippian limestones and dolomites of the Greenbrier Group and overlying shales of the Mauch Chunk Formation, which weather to release alkaline earth metals into the water. The supply is drawn directly from surface runoff over this limestone karst terrain, imparting a moderately mineralised character through natural carbonate dissolution without reliance on groundwater aquifers.

Moderate scale buildup is expected in appliances such as water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency and requiring periodic maintenance. Soap lathering may be less effective, increasing detergent consumption. Regular deliming of fixtures and annual flushing of hot water systems are advised. A water softener is often recommended for households experiencing noticeable effects. Consumer Confidence Reports for 2021 and 2024 confirm EPA compliance with no violations since 2023; treatment includes coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination. Third-party analyses note 7 contaminants above health guidelines, including low-level lead at 0.00358 mg/L, though primary standards are met.