Vienna Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
134.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.23
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 Vienna, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Vienna | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 10.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Vienna compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Vienna, Virginia | 85.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Tysons, Virginia | 178.5 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Oakton, Virginia | 147 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Wolf Trap, Virginia | 114.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Merrifield, Virginia | 191 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Vienna compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Vienna | 85.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Vienna's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Vienna, Virginia, in Fairfax County — a Fairfax County town adjacent to Oakton and Dunn Loring in the northern Virginia DC suburbs — receives its municipal water from Fairfax Water, drawing from the Potomac River at the Fairfax Water Griffith WTP (Fairfax County, northern Virginia).
The moderately soft 85.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 134.7 mg/L reflect the Fairfax County Potomac supply's predominantly insoluble Blue Ridge watershed character. The Potomac River at Fairfax County drains the Virginia Blue Ridge — Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone (mostly insoluble metabasalt), Precambrian Weverton Quartzite (insoluble), and minor Triassic Culpeper Basin calcareous contributions. The predominantly insoluble Blue Ridge crystalline watershed produces the moderately soft Fairfax Water supply — notably softer than the Maryland DC metro supplies (WSSC Patuxent: 105-133 mg/L) due to the Potomac's more insoluble Virginia headwaters.
At 85.5 mg/L, Vienna's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Fairfax County northern Virginia DC suburb corridor and the Potomac River background contribute to Vienna's modest PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Vienna in Fairfax County draws from Fairfax Water on the Potomac River (Fairfax County, north Virginia) — the Potomac drains the Virginia Blue Ridge (Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone — mostly insoluble) and Coastal Plain sediments — Virginia Fairfax County Potomac River Blue Ridge-Coastal Plain watershed produces moderately soft water at 85.5 mg/L with TDS 134.7 mg/L in this Fairfax County Virginia town.