Hardness
Very Hard
229 PPM · 13.4 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Elkins, WV 26241
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Randolph County.
2 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Elkins City Of
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Randolph County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
2 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
5.6e-4 mg/L
4% of action level
Utility match
3 systems
Serves 9,350 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
229 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
229
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
13.4
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 229 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
72
Nearest site
2.8 mi
Observation range
Jan 11, 2016–Jun 30, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: TYGART VALLEY RIVER AT ELKINS, WV (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 26241 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Elkins median
229 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 229–229 PPM
West Virginia median
141 PPM
88 PPM higher219 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 pass2 fail
Lead (PB90)
5.6e-4 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2027
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
3 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 5.6e-4
EPA limit 0.015
TTHM
Measured in UG/L
Local 83
EPA limit 0.08
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Measured in UG/L
Local 78
EPA limit 0.06
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 65
- Health-based
- 9
- Active health-based
- 2
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Notice | WV3304215 | Unaddressed | Aug 15, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3304215 | Unaddressed | Aug 15, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | WV3304208 | Archived | Aug 1, 2025through Aug 31, 2025 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | WV3304208 | Archived | Aug 1, 2025through Aug 31, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WV3304208 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Dec 19, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3304215 | Unaddressed | May 16, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3304215 | Unaddressed | May 16, 2025 |
| TTHM | WV3304208 | Resolved | Dec 30, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Public Notice | WV3304208 | Resolved | Dec 26, 2024through Dec 19, 2025 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 83 UG/L · MCL 0.08 | WV3304208 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | WV3304208 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Dec 19, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WV3304215 | Unaddressed | Oct 1, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WV3304208 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Dec 19, 2025 |
| TTHMHealth-basedReported 81 UG/L · MCL 0.08 | WV3304208 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WV3304215 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2024 |
| TTHM | WV3304215 | Archived | Apr 1, 2024through Jun 30, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | WV3304215 | Archived | Apr 1, 2024through Jun 30, 2024 |
| TTHM | WV3304215 | Archived | Jan 1, 2024through Mar 31, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | WV3304215 | Archived | Jan 1, 2024through Mar 31, 2024 |
| BHC-GAMMA | WV3304203 | Archived | Jan 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2025 |
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 Elkins ZIP 26241 using 229 PPM nearby hardness and 3 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
229 PPM is 2× 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 systemsDrinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) have 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 Elkins
Is tap water safe in Elkins?+
EPA ECHO reports 2 active health-based violations 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 229 PPM, or 13.4 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 229 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.