State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM24
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM10
Hard · 121–180 PPM11
Very hard · 181+ PPM6
State water index
Virginia water hardness
Search 37 indexed communities and 133 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median regional evidence
71PPM
Moderately Hard
Indexed range 9–306 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 133
- Cities
- 37
- Matched utilities
- 54
- Counties
- 43
Understanding Virginia
Why local comparisons matter here
Virginia crosses the Appalachian Plateau, Valley and Ridge, Blue Ridge, Piedmont, and Atlantic Coastal Plain, each with distinct water-source settings.
In this index, soft is the largest category, covering 24 of 51 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 71 PPM, but the full indexed range is 9–306 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 38%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 14%
14
Low-confidence hardness profiles
31
Research-comparison eligible profiles
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Surface water
- 45
- Groundwater
- 7
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 2
Highest medians
Highest eligible city medians
- 1. Harrisonburg274 PPM
- 2. Alexandria72 PPM
Lowest medians
Lowest eligible city medians
- 1. Alexandria72 PPM
- 2. Harrisonburg274 PPM
City directory
Explore Virginia by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
37 cities · 133 ZIP profiles
37 cities found
Page 1 of 2
Alexandria
Alexandria City County · 6 ZIPs
72PPM regional
Regional range 71–73No active flag
Appomattox
Appomattox County · 1 ZIP
35PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bristol
Bristol City County · 2 ZIPs
177PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Buena Vista
Rockbridge County · 1 ZIP
145PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Charlottesville
Albemarle County · 4 ZIPs
98PPM regional
Regional range 31–165No active flag
Chesapeake
Chesapeake City County · 6 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Colonial Heights
Chesterfield County · 1 ZIP
35PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Covington
Alleghany County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sample1 active record
Danville
Pittsylvania County · 2 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Dryden
Lee County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Emporia
Greensville County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Fort Belvoir
Fairfax County · 1 ZIP
71PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Franklin
Southampton County · 1 ZIP
9PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg City County · 3 ZIPs
20PPM regional
Regional range 20–20.3No active flag
Galax
Grayson County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Hampton
Hampton City County · 10 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Harrisonburg
Rockingham County · 3 ZIPs
274PPM regional
Regional range 273.5–277No active flag
Hopewell
Prince George County · 1 ZIP
35PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Lexington
Rockbridge County · 1 ZIP
127PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Lynchburg
Campbell County · 5 ZIPs
127PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Manassas
Manassas City County · 1 ZIP
70PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Martinsville
Henry County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Newport News
Newport News City County · 8 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Norfolk
Norfolk City County · 14 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
County comparison
Highest regional-evidence county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockingham County | 275 PPM | 273.5–277 | 2 |
| Harrisonburg City County | 274 PPM | 273.5–273.5 | 1 |
| Augusta County | 236 PPM | 165–306 | 2 |
| Wise County | 186 PPM | 186–186 | 1 |
| Winchester City County | 184 PPM | 184–184 | 1 |
| Bristol City County | 177 PPM | 176.5–176.5 | 1 |
| Washington County | 177 PPM | 176.5–176.5 | 1 |
| Rockbridge County | 136 PPM | 127–145 | 2 |
| Campbell County | 127 PPM | 127–127 | 2 |
| Lynchburg City County | 127 PPM | 127–127 | 2 |
| Bedford County | 127 PPM | 127–127 | 1 |
| Albemarle County | 98 PPM | 31–165 | 3 |