Hardness
Moderately Hard
112 PPM · 6.5 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Covington, VA 24426
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Alleghany County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Covington, City Of
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Alleghany County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
3.1e-4 mg/L
2% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 5,961 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
112 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
112
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
6.5
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 112 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
9
Nearest site
39.9 mi
Observation range
Feb 3, 2016–Jun 24, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: JAMES RIVER AT BLUE RIDGE PKWY NR BIG ISLAND, VA (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 24426 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Covington median
112 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 112–112 PPM
Virginia median
34 PPM
78 PPM higher133 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 pass
Lead (PB90)
3.1e-4 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2024
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 3.1e-4
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 38
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | VA2580100 | Archived | Mar 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| TTHM | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts RuleHealth-based | VA2580100 | Unaddressed | Mar 1, 2024 |
| Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts RuleHealth-based | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jun 1, 2023through Nov 7, 2023 |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| DICHLOROMETHANE | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| o-Dichlorobenzene | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Vinyl chloride | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Carbon tetrachloride | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Benzene | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Toluene | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Ethylbenzene | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Arsenic | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Chromium | VA2580100 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
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 Covington ZIP 24426 using 112 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule 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.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Covington
Is tap water safe in Covington?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 112 PPM, or 6.5 grains per gallon, classified as moderately hard. 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.