Ballenger Creek Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.7
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
196.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.29
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 Ballenger Creek, your appliances are currently losing 15% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Ballenger Creek | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -29% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 11.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -25% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Ballenger Creek compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ballenger Creek, Maryland | 109 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Frederick, Maryland | 109 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Clarksburg, Maryland | 170 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Damascus, Maryland | 96 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Germantown, Maryland | 131 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Ballenger Creek compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ballenger Creek | 109 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Ballenger Creek's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Ballenger Creek, Maryland, in Frederick County — an unincorporated Frederick County community adjacent to Frederick and Urbana in the Frederick Valley of central Maryland — receives its municipal water from Frederick County Division of Public Works, drawing from Lake Linganore (Bennett Creek, Frederick County) or the Frederick City Water supply on the Monocacy River watershed.
The moderately hard 109 mg/L hardness and TDS of 196.6 mg/L reflect the Frederick County supply's blended Catoctin Mountain-Frederick Valley character. The Frederick County watershed drains the Catoctin Mountain (Precambrian Catoctin Formation — insoluble greenstone metavolcanic) and the Frederick Valley limestone belt (Cambrian Frederick Limestone — calcareous, regional carbonate aquifer recharge zone). The moderate hardness reflects a blend of soft mountain runoff and harder Frederick Valley limestone drainage.
At 109 mg/L, Ballenger Creek'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 5.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Fort Detrick (Frederick County — US Army medical research facility with AFFF use in the Monocacy watershed), the Urbana development corridor, and the central Maryland PFAS background contribute to Ballenger Creek's readings.
Geology & Source: Ballenger Creek in Frederick County draws from the Frederick County Water on Lake Linganore (Bennett Creek, Frederick County) — Bennett Creek drains the Catoctin Mountain (Precambrian Catoctin Formation metavolcanic) and the Frederick Valley (Cambrian Frederick Limestone) — Maryland Frederick Valley Cambrian limestone watershed produces moderately hard water at 109 mg/L with TDS 197 mg/L in this Frederick County Maryland community.