Georgetown Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.2 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
162.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.24
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 Georgetown, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Georgetown | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -21% |
| Washing Machine | 10.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -14% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Georgetown compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Georgetown, District of Columbia | 89 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Foggy Bottom, District of Columbia | 83 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Dupont Circle, District of Columbia | 73.5 mg/L | 4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Golden Triangle, District of Columbia | 113 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Adams Morgan, District of Columbia | 120.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Georgetown compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Georgetown | 89 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Georgetown's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Georgetown, District of Columbia, in the District of Columbia — the historic neighborhood adjacent to Foggy Bottom and Bethesda along the Potomac River in northwest DC — receives its water from DC Water (District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority), drawing from the Potomac River at the McMillan Sand Filtration Site through the DC metropolitan distribution.
The soft 89 mg/L hardness and low TDS of 162.8 mg/L reflect the DC Potomac supply's relatively soft character — the Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss and Precambrian Grenville Province rocks dominate the upper Potomac watershed in the Appalachian highlands, contributing limited dissolved minerals despite the massive drainage area (compare Foggy Bottom DC: 87/158 in DC comparable; Capitol Hill DC: 91/167 in DC comparable; Georgetown consistent soft from the same District of Columbia Potomac River Precambrian calcareous supply). The Potomac watershed at Georgetown — Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Ordovician Martinsburg Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Potomac alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 89 mg/L with TDS 163, Georgetown's water is soft — minimal scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.4 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review DC Water's detailed annual water quality report for the latest monitoring data.
Geology & Source: Georgetown in District of Columbia draws from DC Water on the Potomac River (District of Columbia, mid-Atlantic) — the Potomac watershed at Georgetown drains Precambrian Blue Ridge Gneiss (insoluble) and Ordovician Martinsburg Formation (slightly calcareous) — District of Columbia Potomac River Precambrian calcareous supply produces soft water at 89 mg/L with TDS 162.8 mg/L.