Hardness
Soft
32 PPM · 1.9 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Chesapeake, VA 23323
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Chesapeake City County.
1 reported benchmark flag
- Primary matched system
- City Of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater
- County
- Chesapeake City County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0114 mg/L
76% of action level
Utility match
6 systems
Serves 165,240 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
32 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
32
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
1.9
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 32 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
3
Nearest site
63.4 mi
Observation range
Jan 7, 2016–Jun 30, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: CHICKAHOMINY RIVER NEAR PROVIDENCE FORGE, VA (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 23323 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Chesapeake median
32 PPM
About the same6 indexed ZIP readings · Range 22–32 PPM
Virginia median
34 PPM
About the same133 indexed ZIP readings · Range 9–253 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.0114 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2027
Copper (CU90)
1.5 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2017
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0114
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.5
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 11
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | VA3550620 | Resolved | Feb 1, 2026through Mar 19, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | VA3550800 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2025through Nov 30, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | VA3550775 | Resolved | Sep 1, 2025through Sep 30, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VA3550775 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Nov 10, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | VA3550775 | Resolved | May 1, 2025through May 31, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | VA3550775 | Resolved | Mar 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | VA3550775 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Aug 4, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VA3550800 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 19, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | VA3550800 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2023through Nov 30, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | VA3550800 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Oct 31, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | VA3550775 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2021through Jul 16, 2021 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Chesapeake ZIP 23323 using 32 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile) has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Chesapeake
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Chesapeake
Is tap water safe in Chesapeake?+
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 32 PPM, or 1.9 grains per gallon, classified as soft. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.