Chillum Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.1 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
349.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.41
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 Chillum, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Chillum | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -47% |
| Washing Machine | 7.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -34% |
| Water Heater | 9.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -37% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Chillum compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chillum, Maryland | 155 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Takoma Park, Maryland | 101 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Langley Park, Maryland | 89 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Kennedy Street, District of Columbia | 113 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Brightwood, District of Columbia | 130 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Chillum compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Chillum | 155 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Chillum's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Chillum, Maryland, an unincorporated community in Prince George's County — a major inner-ring Prince George's County DC suburban community (Chillum is one of the most densely populated unincorporated communities in Maryland — a significant inner-ring Prince George's County community directly adjacent to the DC northeast boundary, one of the most diverse communities in the Washington DC inner suburbs), a diverse Prince George's County community with a significant Central American (particularly Salvadoran and Guatemalan), African-American, and Ethiopian-American immigrant population, adjacent to Hyattsville and Takoma Park along the northeastern DC suburban corridor, and one of the most economically active commercial corridors in northeast Prince George's County (the University Boulevard–Piney Branch Road corridor) — draws its municipal water supply via the WSSC Water. Water hardness in Chillum measures 155 mg/L — classified as hard.
Chillum's hard supply — harder than the typical WSSC average — reflects the northeast Prince George's County inner-ring distribution zone. The WSSC Patuxent and Potomac River supply distributes through the Chillum–Hyattsville northeast zone via older inner-ring Prince George's mains (1930s–1950s dense urban development mains — among the oldest in the WSSC system), producing the hard 155 mg/L due to older pipe interaction and distribution zone characteristics.
At 155 mg/L, Chillum residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling with citric acid solution is recommended. WSSC Water consistently delivers water meeting all Maryland MDE and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply via the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC Water) — the Prince George's County north Maryland DC inner-ring suburban Chillum corridor (WSSC Patuxent and Potomac River supply blend — the Prince George's County WSSC northeast distribution to Chillum–Hyattsville zone; with distribution hardness accumulation in older inner-ring northeast Prince George's mains); hard supply at 155 mg/L in Prince George's County.