Soft

ZIP Code 23106

King William County, Virginia — Manquin

18PPM (mg/L)
1.1Grains/Gallon
80Monitoring stations
060120180250
18ppm
1.1 grains per gallon
Soft Water

What This Means

King William County, Virginia has naturally soft water, estimated at 18 mg/L (PPM). Soft water is generally good for appliances and plumbing — it produces less scale buildup. You likely don't need a water softener. Soft water may feel slightly "slippery" and lathers soap easily.

What You Should Do

Your water is soft — no treatment needed. Enjoy it! Soft water is gentle on skin, hair, and appliances. You may notice soap lathers easily and rinses cleanly.
No water softener necessary. In fact, adding a softener to already-soft water can make it feel overly slippery and may add unnecessary sodium to your drinking water.

Hardness Details

ZIP Code23106
CountyKing William
CityManquin
StateVirginia (VA)
Hardness (PPM)18 mg/L — Soft
Hardness (GPG)1.1 grains/gallon
Classification0 - 60 mg/L

Source: USGS Water Quality Portal, county-level median

USGS Monitoring Data

Monitoring Stations80
Range1 – 2000 mg/L
Most Recent Data2025
Data QualityMeasured

Source: USGS Water Quality Portal

Effects at 18 PPM Hardness

Skin & HairMinimalPipesMinimalLaundryMinimalTasteMinimal

At 18 ppm, your water is soft. You are unlikely to notice mineral effects on skin, hair, or appliances. Soap lathers easily, dishes come out spot-free, and your water heater and plumbing will not accumulate scale buildup.

Is Manquin Water Safe to Drink?

Yes. Hard water at 18 ppm in Manquin is safe to drink. The calcium and magnesium that make water hard are actually essential minerals your body needs daily. The World Health Organization confirms there are no health-based guidelines for water hardness.

At this level, taste is generally good. Most people will not notice a mineral flavor, and the water is perfectly suitable for drinking, cooking, and making coffee or tea.

Your Water vs National Average

SoftModerateHardVery HardUS Avg: 100 ppmYou: 18 ppm0 ppm280+ ppm

Manquin water at 18 ppm is 82% softer than the US average of approximately 100 ppm. Your area benefits from naturally soft water, which is gentler on plumbing, appliances, skin, and hair than what most Americans experience.

Best Solution for 18 PPM Water

No softener needed. Your soft water at 18 ppm is ideal for skin, hair, and appliances. You are in the fortunate minority of US homes that do not need water treatment for hardness. Enjoy the benefits of naturally soft water: easy soap lathering, spot-free dishes, and long-lasting appliances.

King William County Water Hardness Map

Soft   Moderate   Hard   Very Hard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the water hardness for ZIP code 23106?

ZIP code 23106 is in King William County, Virginia, with estimated water hardness of 18 mg/L (1.1 GPG), classified as soft.

Do I need a water softener in 23106?

With soft water at 18 PPM, a water softener is generally not needed.

What county is ZIP code 23106 in?

ZIP code 23106 is in King William County, Virginia (VA).

Is Manquin water hard or soft?

Manquin water is classified as soft with an estimated hardness of 18 ppm (1.1 GPG). This is soft water — no treatment is needed.

Is hard water in 23106 safe to drink?

Yes, hard water in ZIP code 23106 at 18 ppm is safe to drink. The calcium and magnesium minerals are actually beneficial for your health. At this level, the water tastes normal and requires no filtration for drinking purposes.

Will 18 PPM water damage my appliances?

At 18 ppm (soft), your water will not cause mineral damage to appliances. You can expect full lifespan from your water heater, dishwasher, and plumbing.

Do I need a water softener in King William County?

No — King William County has soft water at 18 ppm. A water softener is not necessary.

Is Manquin water OK for aquariums and plants?

Yes — soft water at 18 ppm is ideal for most tropical fish (bettas, tetras, discus) and acid-loving plants. African cichlids may need mineral supplements.