Clarksburg Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
408.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.45
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 Clarksburg, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Clarksburg | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -53% |
| Washing Machine | 7.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -39% |
| Water Heater | 8.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -41% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Clarksburg compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clarksburg, Maryland | 170 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Germantown, Maryland | 131 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Damascus, Maryland | 96 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Montgomery Village, Maryland | 81.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Gaithersburg, Maryland | 121.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Clarksburg compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clarksburg | 170 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Clarksburg's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Clarksburg, Maryland, in Montgomery County — an unincorporated Montgomery County community adjacent to Germantown and Gaithersburg in central Maryland — receives its water from WSSC Water (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission), drawing from the Potomac River (Montgomery County) through the central Maryland distribution.
The moderately hard 170 mg/L hardness and TDS of 408.5 mg/L (TDS somewhat elevated relative to hardness — reflecting the WSSC distribution system's dissolved solids and the Piedmont geology contributions) are harder than the DC communities (Falls Church: 122.5 mg/L; Barracks Row: 113 mg/L) — reflecting the inland Montgomery County position where the WSSC treatment output blends Potomac River calcareous input with the Piedmont hard-rock valley carbonate chemistry. The Potomac River at Montgomery County — Cambrian Frederick Limestone (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Ordovician Martinsburg Shale (slightly calcareous — secondary contributor), and Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone (slightly calcareous — minor contributor).
At 170 mg/L, Clarksburg'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 9.3 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Joint Base Andrews (Prince George's County — AFFF) and the Montgomery County central Maryland industrial corridor contribute significantly to Clarksburg's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Clarksburg in Montgomery County draws from the WSSC Water on the Potomac River (Montgomery County, central Maryland) — the Potomac at Montgomery County drains the Blue Ridge (Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone — slightly calcareous) and Cambrian Frederick Limestone — Maryland Montgomery County Potomac River Blue Ridge-Cambrian calcareous watershed produces moderately hard water at 170 mg/L with TDS 408.5 mg/L.