Union Market 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
254.8 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 Union Market, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Union Market | 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 Union Market compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Union Market, District of Columbia | 113.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| H Street NE, District of Columbia | 113 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| NoMa, District of Columbia | 113.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Northwest One, District of Columbia | 113.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Brentwood Village, District of Columbia | 129.5 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Union Market compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Union Market | 113.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Union Market's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Union Market, Washington, DC, in the District of Columbia — a DC neighborhood adjacent to Trinidad and NoMa in northeast Washington — receives its water from the DC Water, drawing from the Potomac River (District of Columbia) through the Washington DC distribution.
The moderately hard 113.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 254.8 mg/L reflect the Washington DC Potomac supply's moderate calcareous character — the Precambrian Catoctin Formation insoluble and Cambrian Antietam Formation slightly calcareous produce moderate water in the Potomac distribution, consistent throughout the DC metro communities (compare Chevy Chase DC: 116/262 in Montgomery County comparable; Kemp Mill MD: 183/463 in Montgomery County harder further in the distribution). The Potomac River at DC — Precambrian Catoctin Formation (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Antietam Formation (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Potomac alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 113.5 mg/L with TDS 255, Union Market's water is moderately hard — scale builds slowly in appliances. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the District of Columbia urban industrial corridor contribute to Union Market's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Union Market in District of Columbia is served by DC Water drawing from the Potomac River — the Potomac watershed drains the Blue Ridge (Precambrian Catoctin Formation — insoluble) and Cambrian Antietam Formation (slightly calcareous) — DC Potomac River Precambrian-Cambrian supply produces moderately hard water at 113.5 mg/L with TDS 254.8 mg/L.