Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.6 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
253.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.30
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
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 Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.9 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -31% |
| Washing Machine | 9.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -22% |
| Water Heater | 11.1 yrs | 15 yrs | -26% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn, District of Columbia | 113 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Central 14th Street / Spring Road, District of Columbia | 113 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Petworth, District of Columbia | 119.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Colorado Triangle, District of Columbia | 113 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Pleasant Plains, District of Columbia | 120.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn | 113 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn, District of Columbia — a DC neighborhood adjacent to Columbia Heights and Park View along the 14th Street corridor in northwest Washington — receives its water from DC Water (DC WASA), drawing from the Potomac River through the mid-Atlantic distribution.
The moderately hard 113 mg/L hardness and TDS of 253.1 mg/L reflect the District of Columbia Potomac River supply's moderate calcareous character — the Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss provides insoluble dilution while Cambrian Tomstown Dolomite and Ordovician Beekmantown Limestone contribute dissolved mineral content from the Shenandoah Valley limestone belt upstream (compare Columbia Heights DC: 111/248 in DC comparable; Park View DC: 114/257 in DC comparable; Central 14th Street consistent moderate from the same DC Potomac River Precambrian-Cambrian calcareous supply). The Potomac watershed at DC — Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Tomstown Dolomite (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Potomac alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 113 mg/L with TDS 253, this DC neighborhood's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup in appliances. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter. Review DC Water's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Central 14th Street in District of Columbia draws from DC Water on the Potomac River (District of Columbia, mid-Atlantic region) — the Potomac at DC drains Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss (insoluble) and Cambrian Tomstown Dolomite (calcareous) — District of Columbia Potomac River Precambrian-Cambrian calcareous supply produces moderately hard water at 113 mg/L with TDS 253.1 mg/L.