Orchards Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
1.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
61.2 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.09
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 Orchards, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Orchards | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 8.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | — |
| Washing Machine | 12.4 yrs | 12 yrs | — |
| Water Heater | 14.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -5% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Orchards compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Orchards, Washington | 33 mg/L | 1.9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Five Corners, Washington | 76.5 mg/L | 3.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Salmon Creek, Washington | 58 mg/L | 2.7 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Hazel Dell, Washington | 72.5 mg/L | 3.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Vancouver, Washington | 61 mg/L | 2.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Orchards compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Orchards | 33 mg/L | 🟢 None |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Orchards's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Orchards, Washington, in Clark County — an unincorporated Clark County community adjacent to Vancouver and Battle Ground in northeast Clark County, part of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area — receives its municipal water from Clark Public Utilities or the City of Vancouver Water Division, which draws from the Columbia River or local Clark County groundwater wells in the northeast Vancouver corridor.
The very soft 33 mg/L hardness and very low TDS of 61.2 mg/L reflect the Clark County water supply's Cascade watershed character — among the softest in Clark County. The Columbia River at Vancouver collects drainage from the Mount Hood and Columbia Gorge Cascade corridor (very soft volcanic basalt) and local Clark County wells in the Columbia River alluvial aquifer (Pleistocene outwash sand and gravel — very soft, low-mineral). The combination produces the very soft water characteristic of the north Clark County suburban corridor adjacent to the Vancouver urban area.
At 33 mg/L, Orchards' water is very soft — excellent for household use. Scale essentially never forms, soap lathers abundantly, and appliances maintain maximum efficiency. Annual descaling is more than sufficient. The PFAS level of 1.9 ppt is excellent — among the very lowest in any Pacific Northwest metropolitan community, reflecting the Columbia River's protected Cascade watershed, the limited direct PFAS industrial sources in the northeast Clark County corridor, and the Columbia's large dilution volume.
Geology & Source: Orchards in Clark County draws from Clark Public Utilities or the Vancouver Water Division on the Columbia River or local Clark County wells — the Columbia River at the Portland-Vancouver reach blends Cascade Range runoff with Columbia Plateau basalt groundwater — Columbia River and Clark County alluvial aquifer drainage produces very soft water at 33 mg/L with very low TDS 61 mg/L in this Clark County Washington community.