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Accokeek Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

8.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

491.1 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Accokeek, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

ApplianceIn AccokeekSoft Water CityEfficiency Loss
Kettle
6.8 yrs
8.5 yrs-20%
Washing Machine
9.6 yrs
12 yrs-20%
Water Heater
12 yrs
15 yrs-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Accokeek compares to its nearest neighbours

CityHardnessPFAS (ppt)RiskSource
Accokeek, Maryland≈ 120–179 mg/L10.4 ppt🟠 Hardgroundwater
Fort Washington, Maryland≈ 120–179 mg/L5.2 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Bennsville, Maryland≈ 120–179 mg/L7.4 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Fort Hunt, Virginia≈ 120–179 mg/L7.5 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir
Mount Vernon, Virginia≈ 120–179 mg/L5.3 ppt🟠 Hardreservoir

National Benchmark

How Accokeek compares to the USA average

BenchmarkHardnessAppliance Risk
Accokeek≈ 120–179 mg/L🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg151 mg/L🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated0.02 mg/L🟢 None

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What Makes Accokeek's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 491.1 mg/LpH: 8.3

WSSC Water supplies Accokeek, Maryland, drawing its supply from a mix of sources. The Potomac River and its reservoirs form the primary source, with groundwater from local aquifers providing a supplemental supply. These raw waters undergo extensive treatment at WSSC Water's facilities to meet stringent federal and state drinking water standards before being distributed to homes and businesses throughout Prince George's County.

The region's water originates from the Potomac River watershed, which spans both the Piedmont and Coastal Plain areas of Maryland. Geologically, the area is underlain by sedimentary layers dating back to the Cretaceous period. These include the Patuxent Formation and Patapsco Formation, characterized by deposits of clay, sand, and silt. These formations are known to leach moderate amounts of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, into the groundwater, resulting in water that is moderately hard.

Residents in Accokeek may observe the effects of moderately hard water, such as scale deposits forming in appliances like coffee makers and water heaters over time. You might also notice that soaps and detergents don't lather quite as readily. To help maintain your appliances, consider periodic descaling of fixtures and flushing your water heater annually. While not strictly necessary, installing a water softener could further enhance cleaning and extend the lifespan of your equipment. For the most up-to-date information on specific water quality parameters, including pH and lead testing results, please refer to WSSC Water's Consumer Confidence Report, which is published annually on their website.

Geology & Source: Cretaceous sedimentary formations - Patuxent and Patapsco; clay, sand, silt layers contribute moderate mineral content

Other Maryland Water Reports

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Accokeek's water safe to drink?
Yes. Accokeek's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.
Do I need a water softener in Accokeek?
At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Accokeek's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.
How does Accokeek compare to the USA average?
The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Accokeek (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Accokeek is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.