Petworth Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7 grains per gallon
Source
river
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
280.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.32
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 Petworth, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Petworth | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -33% |
| Washing Machine | 9.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -23% |
| Water Heater | 10.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -28% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Petworth compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Petworth, District of Columbia | 119.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Central 14th Street / Spring Road, District of Columbia | 113 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Kennedy Street, District of Columbia | 113 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Park View, District of Columbia | 118 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Brightwood, District of Columbia | 130 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Petworth compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Petworth | 119.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Petworth's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Petworth, in the District of Columbia — a historic DC neighborhood adjacent to Brightwood and Columbia Heights, in the upper northwest DC corridor north of Georgia Avenue — receives its municipal water from DC Water, drawing from the Potomac River at the McMillan Sand Filtration Site supply plant and the Dalecarlia Water Treatment Plant in northwest DC.
The moderately hard 119.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 280.7 mg/L are consistent with the broader DC Potomac water supply — slightly harder than the typical DC Water reading reflecting seasonal variation and the specific Dalecarlia-McMillan blend. The Potomac River at Washington DC drains the Blue Ridge (Precambrian Catoctin Formation metavolcanic), the Great Valley (Cambrian-Ordovician Frederick Limestone and Elbrook Formation carbonate), and the Piedmont (Cambrian Wissahickon schist), producing the moderately hard, slightly elevated-TDS water characteristic of the Washington DC Potomac supply.
At 119.5 mg/L, Petworth's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 8.1 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Potomac River PFAS industrial corridor (the W.L. Gore & Associates Elkton MD legacy), Joint Base Andrews (Prince George's County AFFF source), and the DC metro PFAS complex contribute to Petworth's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Petworth in DC draws from DC Water on the Potomac River (McMillan and Dalecarlia water treatment plants) — the Potomac drains the Blue Ridge (Precambrian Catoctin metavolcanic) and Great Valley carbonate (Cambrian-Ordovician limestone) — Blue Ridge-Appalachian carbonate Potomac River drainage produces moderately hard water at 119.5 mg/L with TDS 281 mg/L in this District of Columbia neighborhood.