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

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

Crofton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

139.1 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 Crofton, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Crofton	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 Crofton compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Crofton, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Bowie, Maryland	172 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Odenton, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Glenn Dale, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Severn, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Crofton compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 139.1 mg/LpH: 7.5

The Crofton-Odenton water utility, operated by Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works (DPW), serves approximately 62,986 residents primarily in Odenton and Crofton, Maryland. Water is sourced from a combination of surface water from the Patuxent River and groundwater from local aquifers, treated at county facilities including the Max Frye Road treatment plant in Millersville. The utility can be reached at 443-790-5373 or at 437 Maxwell Frye Road, Millersville, MD 21108. The system meets all EPA standards with no MCL violations recorded.

Water originates in the Patuxent River watershed, spanning Maryland's Coastal Plain, where it interacts with Cretaceous-age formations including the Magothy and Patapsco aquifers. These sandy, gravelly deposits with calcareous interbeds dissolve minerals during infiltration, imparting a hard character to the supply. The geology of limestone-derived soils and Appalachian sediment leads to elevated calcium and magnesium content, characteristic of Maryland's Piedmont and Coastal Plain transition zone.

Hard water promotes scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. White deposits on fixtures and reduced soap lathering are common household effects. Regular descaling with vinegar, installing drain screens, and flushing heaters help mitigate issues; a water softener is recommended to protect appliances and improve cleaning. The 2026 water quality report confirms compliance with EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, including lead, copper, and PFAS — no compounds exceed health-based guidelines.

Geology & Source: Patuxent River watershed and Coastal Plain aquifers; Cretaceous Magothy Formation and Patapsco Aquifer — unconsolidated sands, gravels with calcareous interbeds; limestone and dolomite dissolution yields hard, calcium- and magnesium-rich supply

Other Maryland Water Reports

Bowie

172 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Odenton

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Glenn Dale

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Severn

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Crofton's water safe to drink?

Yes. Crofton'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 Crofton?

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

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