The Wharf 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
254.9 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 The Wharf, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In The Wharf | 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 The Wharf compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ The Wharf, District of Columbia | 113.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Southwest Waterfront, District of Columbia | 113.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Downtown DC, District of Columbia | 113 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Washington, District of Columbia | 75.5 mg/L | 4.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Capitol Riverfront, District of Columbia | 113 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How The Wharf compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ The Wharf | 113.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your The Wharf home
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What Makes The Wharf's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The Wharf, District of Columbia — a DC waterfront neighborhood adjacent to Southwest Waterfront and Navy Yard along the Potomac River in Washington — receives its water from DC Water (DC WASA), drawing from the Potomac River through the mid-Atlantic distribution.
The moderately hard 113.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 254.9 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 Southwest Waterfront DC: 111/249 in DC comparable; Navy Yard DC: 115/260 in DC comparable; The Wharf 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 113.5 mg/L with TDS 255, The Wharf's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup in appliances. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.5 ppt is elevated — a certified drinking water filter is recommended — the DC metro area military (Bolling AFB, JBA) and Potomac industrial sources contribute to elevated PFAS levels. Review DC Water's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: The Wharf 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 113.5 mg/L with TDS 254.9 mg/L.