Hardest Water in Virginia
22 cities ranked by water hardness. Harrisonburg tops the list at 110 PPM.
Virginia's water hardness varies significantly by city and water source. The state average across our database is 51 PPM, which is relatively soft. Most homes do not need a water softener. 0% of cities we track in Virginia have hardness above 120 PPM.
Virginia Beach has the softest water at just 20 PPM. No softener is needed.
| # | City | PPM | GPG | Level | Softener? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisonburg | 110 | 6.4 | Moderately Hard | Optional |
| 2 | Herndon | 110 | 6.4 | Moderately Hard | Optional |
| 3 | Stafford | 100 | 5.8 | Moderately Hard | Optional |
| 4 | Lynchburg | 99 | 5.8 | Moderately Hard | Optional |
| 5 | Roanoke | 74 | 4.3 | Moderately Hard | Optional |
| 6 | Richmond | 70 | 4.1 | Moderately Hard | Optional |
| 7 | Williamsburg | 70 | 4.1 | Moderately Hard | Optional |
| 8 | Norfolk | 53 | 3.1 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 9 | Richmond Downtown | 45 | 2.6 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 10 | Manassas | 42 | 2.5 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 11 | Alexandria | 39 | 2.3 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 12 | Arlington | 38 | 2.2 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 13 | Charlottesville | 35 | 2 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 14 | Staunton | 35 | 2 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 15 | Danville | 30 | 1.8 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 16 | Roanoke South | 30 | 1.8 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 17 | Hampton | 28 | 1.6 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 18 | Chesapeake | 25 | 1.5 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 19 | Blacksburg | 25 | 1.5 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 20 | Newport News | 24 | 1.4 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 21 | Suffolk | 22 | 1.3 | Slightly Hard | No |
| 22 | Virginia Beach | 20 | 1.2 | Slightly Hard | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average water hardness in Virginia?
Across 22 cities in our database, the average water hardness in Virginia is 51 PPM (3.0 GPG). This ranges from 20 PPM in Virginia Beach to 110 PPM in Harrisonburg.
Do I need a water softener in Virginia?
It depends on your city. 0% of Virginia cities in our database (0 of 22) have hardness above 120 PPM where a softener provides measurable benefit. Check your specific city above.
Which Virginia city has the softest water?
Virginia Beach has the softest water in Virginia at 20 PPM (1.2 GPG). No water softener is needed at this level.
What causes hard water in Virginia?
Hard water in Virginia is caused by dissolved calcium and magnesium from the local geology. Most of the state has favorable geology with granite, metamorphic, or volcanic rock that contributes minimal dissolved minerals.