Hardness
Hard
140 PPM · 8.2 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Charleston, WV 25387
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Kanawha County.
No active health-based violation reported
- Primary matched system
- Wvawc-Kanawha Valley Dist
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Kanawha 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 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 209,283 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
140 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
140
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
8.2
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 140 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
15
Nearest site
38.7 mi
Observation range
Nov 4, 2019–Oct 28, 2024
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: OHIO RIVER AT LOCK AND DAM 22 AT RAVENSWOOD, WV (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 25387 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Charleston median
140 PPM
About the same7 indexed ZIP readings · Range 140–140 PPM
West Virginia median
141 PPM
About the same219 indexed ZIP readings · Range 85.5–265 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)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
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 0
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 3
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | WV3302016 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Jul 31, 2024 |
| Chlorine | WV3302016 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Jul 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | WV3302016 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Jul 31, 2024 |
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 Charleston ZIP 25387 using 140 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
140 PPM is 1× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsAffiliate 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 Charleston
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Charleston
Is tap water safe in Charleston?+
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 140 PPM, or 8.2 grains per gallon, classified as hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 140 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.