How does Benning Road's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Benning Road (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Benning Road Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

river

pH Level

6.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

135 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

0–60

mg/L

Soft

61–120

mg/L

Moderately Hard

121–180

mg/L

Hard

180+

mg/L

Very Hard

Appliance Damage Report

In Benning Road, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Benning Road	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Benning Road compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Benning Road, District of Columbia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Hillcrest, District of Columbia	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	river
Suitland, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Suitland-Silver Hill, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Walker Mill, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Benning Road compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Benning Road	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Benning Road's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: RiverTDS: 135 mg/LpH: 6.7

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, known locally as DC Water, provides tap water to the Benning Road area and the entire District of Columbia. Their primary source is the Potomac River, a vital waterway that snakes through the region. This surface water supply is complemented by groundwater drawn from the Coastal Plain aquifer system. After rigorous treatment at several facilities, the water travels through roughly 1,300 miles of pipes to reach homes and businesses.

The Potomac River watershed itself gathers water from the Appalachian region, an area known for its significant limestone and dolomite rock formations. Beneath the District of Columbia, the Coastal Plain aquifer is composed of Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments. These geological layers are rich in carbonate minerals, which naturally impart a moderate mineral content, specifically calcium and magnesium, to the water, resulting in its moderately hard classification.

You might notice some faint spotting on glassware or a bit of white residue on kitchen items, especially when the water is warmer. While most appliances will work just fine without any special treatment, some residents opt for a water softener based on personal preference. Dishwashers might benefit from a rinse aid to keep dishes sparkling. DC Water's latest report confirms they meet all federal drinking water standards. For those in older homes, especially those with service lines or solder installed before 1987, using cold water for drinking and cooking is always a good practice.

Geology & Source: Coastal Plain aquifer system; Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments with limestone and dolomite formations produce moderate hardness

Other District of Columbia Water Reports

Hillcrest

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Suitland

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Suitland-Silver Hill

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Walker Mill

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Benning Road's water safe to drink?

Yes. Benning Road's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Benning Road?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Benning Road's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Benning Road compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Benning Road (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Benning Road is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.