Hardness
Very Hard
189 PPM · 11.1 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in West Milford, WV 26451
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Harrison County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Greater Harrison Psd Lost Creek Mt Clare
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Harrison 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
5.1e-4 mg/L
3% of action level
Utility match
3 systems
Serves 3,536 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
189 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
189
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
11.1
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 189 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
46
Nearest site
35.9 mi
Observation range
Jan 19, 2016–Sep 24, 2025
Estimate confidence
Low
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 26451 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
West Milford median
189 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 189–189 PPM
West Virginia median
141 PPM
48 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)
5.1e-4 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 2024
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 5.1e-4
EPA limit 0.015
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Measured in UG/L
Local 63
EPA limit 0.06
TTHM
Measured in UG/L
Local 86
EPA limit 0.08
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 54
- Health-based
- 8
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WV3301713 | Unaddressed | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WV3301727 | Unaddressed | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RuleHealth-based | WV3301727 | Unaddressed | Jun 1, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3301713 | Resolved | Feb 15, 2025through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3301713 | Resolved | Feb 15, 2025through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3301727 | Resolved | Feb 15, 2025through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3301727 | Resolved | Feb 15, 2025through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3301727 | Resolved | May 15, 2024through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | WV3301713 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | WV3301727 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Chlorine | WV3301713 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | WV3301727 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Chlorine | WV3301727 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Dec 31, 2023 |
| Public Notice | WV3301727 | Resolved | Aug 13, 2023through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3301713 | Resolved | Jul 2, 2023through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3301713 | Resolved | May 8, 2023through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3301713 | Resolved | May 8, 2023through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Public Notice | WV3301727 | Resolved | May 8, 2023through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | WV3301713 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2023through Mar 27, 2025 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)Health-basedReported 63 UG/L · MCL 0.06 | WV3301713 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2023through Jun 30, 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 West Milford ZIP 26451 using 189 PPM nearby hardness and 3 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
189 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
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM, Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule 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 West Milford
Is tap water safe in West Milford?+
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 189 PPM, or 11.1 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 189 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.