Hardness
Hard
157 PPM · 9.2 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Mcmechen, WV 26040
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Marshall County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Mcmechen Municipal Water
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Marshall 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
0.001 mg/L
7% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 2,212 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
157 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
157
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
9.2
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 157 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
67
Nearest site
16.1 mi
Observation range
Jun 1, 2016–Jun 1, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: WS 155 Washington County Observation Well (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 26040 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Mcmechen median
157 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 157–157 PPM
West Virginia median
141 PPM
16 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 pass
Lead (PB90)
0.001 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2022
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 0.001
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 9
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | WV3302610 | Unaddressed | Oct 1, 2025 |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | WV3302610 | Archived | Oct 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Trichloroethylene | WV3302610 | Archived | Oct 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302610 | Unaddressed | Aug 23, 2025 |
| Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts RuleHealth-based | WV3302610 | Unaddressed | Jul 23, 2025 |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | WV3302610 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Trichloroethylene | WV3302610 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3302610 | Resolved | Nov 14, 2024through Jan 27, 2025 |
| Trichloroethylene | WV3302610 | 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 Mcmechen ZIP 26040 using 157 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
157 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 systemsDrinking 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 Mcmechen
Is tap water safe in Mcmechen?+
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 157 PPM, or 9.2 grains per gallon, classified as hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 157 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.