Adelphi Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
499.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.51
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 Adelphi, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Adelphi | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -61% |
| Washing Machine | 6.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -46% |
| Water Heater | 7.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -47% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Adelphi compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Adelphi, Maryland | 191.5 mg/L | 10.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Langley Park, Maryland | 89 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| College Park, Maryland | 183 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| White Oak, Maryland | 100 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Takoma Park, Maryland | 101 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Adelphi compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Adelphi | 191.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Adelphi's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Adelphi, Maryland, in Prince George's County — an unincorporated Prince George's County community adjacent to Langley Park and Takoma Park in north Prince George's County — receives its water from WSSC Water, drawing from Rocky Gorge Reservoir (Patuxent River, Prince George's County) through the central Maryland distribution.
The hard 191.5 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 499.7 mg/L are harder than the Cloverly WSSC Rocky Gorge supply (177 mg/L) — reflecting Adelphi's position closer to the Rocky Gorge Reservoir where the Cockeysville Marble calcareous dissolution is more concentrated. Rocky Gorge Reservoir (Patuxent River) at Prince George's County drains the Maryland Piedmont — Cambrian Cockeysville Marble (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss (slightly calcareous), and Triassic Potomac Group (slightly calcareous). The Cambrian Cockeysville Marble calcareous dissolution at this service zone produces the hard north Prince George's supply.
At 191.5 mg/L with TDS 500, Adelphi's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 10.5 ppt is very high — Fort Meade (Anne Arundel County — AFFF, directly on the Patuxent watershed), Andrews Air Force Base (Prince George's County — AFFF), and the north Prince George's military-industrial PFAS corridor contribute to Adelphi's very elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Adelphi in Prince George's County draws from WSSC Water on the Patuxent River via Rocky Gorge Reservoir (Prince George's County, central Maryland) — Rocky Gorge impounds the Patuxent draining the Maryland Piedmont (Cambrian Cockeysville Marble, Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss — calcareous) — Maryland Prince George's County Rocky Gorge Patuxent Piedmont calcareous watershed produces hard water at 191.5 mg/L with TDS 499.7 mg/L.