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Fairwood Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.6

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

155.1 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.08

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · 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 Fairwood, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn FairwoodSoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
8.2 yrs
8.5 yrs-4%
Washing Machine
11.5 yrs
12 yrs-4%
Water Heater
14.4 yrs
15 yrs-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How Fairwood compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Fairwood, Washington≈ 0–59 mg/L2.9 ppt🟢 Softreservoir
East Hill-Meridian, Washington≈ 120–179 mg/L2.4 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
East Renton Highlands, Washington≈ 120–179 mg/L2.2 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Renton, Washington44 mg/L3 ppt🟢 Softgroundwater
Newcastle, Washington≈ 120–179 mg/L0 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir

National Benchmark

How Fairwood compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Fairwood≈ 0–59 mg/L🟢 None
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Fairwood's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 155.1 mg/LpH: 7.6

Fairwood is an unincorporated community in King County, Washington, where water service may be provided by the Soos Creek Water and Sewer District or Covington Water District, drawing from the Cedar River or Green River watershed. No official utility website or published Consumer Confidence Report specific to Fairwood was retrievable through standard searches of official sources. Specific utility identification and water quality documentation were not available; residents seeking information should contact their local water service provider or Pierce County Public Works directly to request the responsible utility's annual report.

The Cedar River and Green River drain the Cascade Range in King County, flowing through terrain underlain by Eocene sandstone and coal deposits alongside Tertiary Cascade volcanic formations. These volcanic and sedimentary rocks contain low concentrations of calcium and magnesium, producing characteristically soft water with low total dissolved solids. The Cascade Range watershed geology, dominated by volcanic and siliceous formations rather than carbonate rocks, limits mineral dissolution and yields a low-mineralization water profile.

Soft water from this Cascade Range watershed creates minimal scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and appliances, reducing maintenance needs and energy costs. Soap and detergents lather easily, requiring less product for cleaning. No water softener is typically needed; however, very soft water may have low buffering capacity and can be slightly corrosive to fixtures if pH is not properly adjusted by the utility. Residents without confirmed supply data should contact their local utility for current water quality reports and treatment details.

Geology & Source: Cedar River and Green River watersheds draining the Cascade Range — Eocene sandstone, coal, and Tertiary volcanic formations; low mineral content produces soft water in King County

Other Washington Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fairwood's water safe to drink?
Yes. Fairwood's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Fairwood?
Fairwood's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.
How does Fairwood compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Fairwood (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 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 Fairwood 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.