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

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

Cloverly Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

6.6

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

889 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 Cloverly, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Cloverly	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 Cloverly compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Cloverly, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Colesville, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Fairland, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
White Oak, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Glenmont, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Cloverly compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Cloverly	≈ 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 Cloverly's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 889 mg/LpH: 6.6

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC Water) supplies Cloverly, Maryland, drawing from a diverse mix of sources. Their system includes surface water from the Potomac River and Patuxent Reservoir, as well as groundwater from Potomac aquifers. Major treatment facilities like the Washington Aqueduct and Patuxent Water Treatment Plant process this water before it's distributed to more than 1.8 million residents across Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.

The water's journey begins in the Potomac River watershed, traversing the Appalachian Piedmont. Here, sedimentary rock formations like the Triassic New Oxford Formation and Cretaceous Potomac Group are common. These layers, often containing limestone and karst features, allow groundwater to leach alkaline earth metals as it infiltrates. The Patapsco Aquifer also contributes groundwater, its mineral profile shaped by prolonged contact with calcareous sands and gravels, ultimately resulting in a notably hard water supply.

Residents in Cloverly will likely notice scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, which can reduce appliance efficiency and shorten their lifespan. You might find that laundry appears dingy, and soaps don't lather as readily, requiring more detergent. To combat these issues, installing a water softener is often recommended. Simple maintenance like flushing your water heater annually and using vinegar to clean fixtures can also help manage mineral deposits and keep appliances running smoothly.

Geology & Source: Potomac River Group aquifers and Patapsco Aquifer; Cretaceous Potomac Formation sediments and underlying limestone bedrock dissolve calcium and magnesium, creating hard water.

Other Maryland Water Reports

Colesville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Fairland

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

White Oak

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Glenmont

≈ 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 Cloverly's water safe to drink?

Yes. Cloverly'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 Cloverly?

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

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