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: See methodology section below · 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 | 7.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -15% |
| Washing Machine | 10.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -15% |
| Water Heater | 12.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -15% |
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 | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Petworth, District of Columbia | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Colorado Triangle, District of Columbia | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 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 | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
DC Water supplies the Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn area, drawing primarily from the Potomac River. Water intakes managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Washington Aqueduct are located at Great Falls and Little Falls Pump Station. Treatment takes place at the Washington Aqueduct facilities (Dalecarlia and Fort Reno) and DC Water's R. David Thomas Water Treatment Plant. This system serves the entire District of Columbia, providing water to over 700,000 residents.
The Potomac River Watershed's upstream reaches, particularly near the Fall Line, influence the water quality. The underlying geology is a mix of Cretaceous Potomac Group sands and clays, which are sedimentary, and older Precambrian metamorphic rocks like gneiss and schist. There are also occasional limestone and dolomite lenses from the Ordovician/Silurian period. Dissolving minerals from these carbonate rocks and gypsum-rich sediments contributes to the water's moderately mineralized profile.
This moderately hard water can lead to scale buildup in appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters, potentially reducing their efficiency and increasing energy costs. You might notice deposits in kettles and faucets, and laundry may not feel as soft. Regular cleaning with vinegar can help manage scale, and while not strictly necessary, a water softener can extend appliance life and improve soap performance for households that use a lot of hot water.
Geology & Source: Potomac River watershed; Potomac Group aquifers and Piedmont metamorphic rocks; dissolution of carbonate minerals and gypsum-bearing sediments create moderate mineralization
Other District of Columbia Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn's water safe to drink?
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How does Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus Barn is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.