How does Cambridge's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Cambridge (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Cambridge Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

6.7

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

6040 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 Cambridge, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Cambridge	Soft Water City	Efficiency 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 Cambridge compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Cambridge, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Easton, Maryland	50 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater
Chesapeake Ranch Estates-Drum Point, Maryland	≈ 60–120 mg/L	5 ppt	🟡 Moderately Hard	reservoir
Chesapeake Ranch Estates, Maryland	148 mg/L	8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Lexington Park, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Cambridge compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Cambridge	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Cambridge's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 6040 mg/LpH: 6.7

The City of Cambridge Water Utility supplies drinking water to about 12,000 residents in Cambridge, Maryland, and nearby areas on the Eastern Shore. This supply comes entirely from underground, specifically from the Piney Point and Aquia Formations, which are ancient aquifers. The city's water treatment plant disinfects this groundwater using chlorine before it reaches homes and businesses. You can reach the utility with questions at 410-228-5440 or via mail at P.O. BOX 214, 410 ACADEMY ST, Cambridge, MD 21613.

These Piney Point and Aquia aquifers are part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain's geology, formed from Early Cretaceous limestone, sandstone, and shell deposits. As groundwater flows through these mineral-rich layers, it naturally picks up calcium carbonate and other minerals, leading to a hard water profile. The specific rock types and the amount of limestone present significantly influence how hard the water becomes for different parts of the region.

Because Cambridge water is naturally hard, homeowners often notice mineral buildup, or scale, on faucets, pipes, and inside appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. This scale can reduce the efficiency and lifespan of these devices. To manage this, some residents choose to install a water softener. Regular maintenance, such as flushing water heater tanks and using vinegar to descale fixtures, can also help mitigate the effects of hard water. The City of Cambridge water meets all health guidelines and is safe to drink.

Geology & Source: Piney Point and Aquia Formations; Cretaceous-age aquifers of sandy limestone, sandstone, and calcareous sands; high calcium carbonate and magnesium-bearing minerals cause hardness

Other Maryland Water Reports

Easton

50 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Chesapeake Ranch Estates-Drum Point

≈ 60–120 mg/L

🟡 Moderately Hard

Chesapeake Ranch Estates

148 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Lexington Park

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge's water safe to drink?

Yes. Cambridge'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 Cambridge?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Cambridge'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 Cambridge compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Cambridge (≈ 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 Cambridge 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

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.