Sugarland Run Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

497.9 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 Sugarland Run, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Sugarland Run	Soft Water City	Efficiency 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 Sugarland Run compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Sugarland Run, Virginia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Lowes Island, Virginia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Countryside, Virginia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Dranesville, Virginia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Sterling, Virginia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Sugarland Run compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Sugarland Run	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Sugarland Run's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 497.9 mg/LpH: 8.3

Sugarland Run, located in Loudoun County, Virginia, near Fairfax County, gets its drinking water from Fairfax Water. The utility draws from two main sources: the Potomac River and the Occoquan Reservoir. These raw supplies are processed at the Potomac Treatment Plant before being distributed to over 1.7 million residents across Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and Prince William County. The watershed includes the Potomac River basin, with Sugarland Run itself acting as a significant tributary that flows into the river near Herndon.

The area's geology is part of the Piedmont physiographic province, characterized by ancient metamorphic and igneous rocks. These include Precambrian-era formations like gneiss, schist, and granite. Additionally, the upstream Potomac River catchment area features limestone and dolomite outcrops. The natural dissolution of minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, from these varied rock types results in a moderately mineralized water supply.

Homeowners in the Sugarland Run area may notice moderate scale buildup in appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers. Spots on glassware are also a common consequence of this water character. To combat scale, regular descaling with vinegar and periodic cleaning of fixtures are effective measures. For households experiencing issues with soap scum or reduced appliance efficiency, installing a water softener is often recommended to extend equipment lifespan and enhance cleaning performance. Fairfax Water ensures its supply meets all federal drinking water standards, including those for pH, lead, and copper.

Geology & Source: Piedmont metamorphic and igneous rocks; gneiss, schist, granite, and upstream carbonate outcrops contribute moderate hardness

Other Virginia Water Reports

Lowes Island

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Countryside

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Dranesville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Sterling

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sugarland Run's water safe to drink?

Yes. Sugarland Run'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 Sugarland Run?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Sugarland Run'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 Sugarland Run compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Sugarland Run (≈ 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 Sugarland Run 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

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.