Cumberland Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
153.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.25
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 Cumberland, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Cumberland | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -15% |
| Water Heater | 11.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Cumberland compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cumberland, Maryland | 92.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Johnstown, Pennsylvania | 189 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Winchester, Virginia | 103 mg/L | 5.2 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Martinsburg, West Virginia | 201 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | river |
| Front Royal, Virginia | 86.5 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Cumberland compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Cumberland | 92.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Cumberland home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Cumberland's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Cumberland, Maryland, in Allegany County — the Allegany County seat in the Upper Potomac valley, one of the historic gateway cities of western Maryland at the Cumberland Narrows (the gap through Wills Mountain that was the key route westward through the Appalachians — the National Road origin point), home of the C&O Canal terminus and the Rocky Gap State Park — receives its municipal water from the City of Cumberland Water System, which draws from Evitts Creek reservoir or the North Branch Potomac River in Allegany County.
The moderately soft 92.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 153.1 mg/L are softer than might be expected for the carbonate-rich Ridge and Valley province — reflecting the specific character of the North Branch Potomac watershed in Allegany County. The North Branch Potomac drains the Allegheny Front and Backbone Mountain (the Pottsville Formation — siliceous conglomerate and sandstone — producing soft water), and the Ridge and Valley (Devonian Helderberg Limestone, Silurian Tonoloway Limestone, Devonian Oriskany Sandstone). The mixed siliceous Allegheny Front and carbonate Valley drainage blends to produce the moderately soft outcome at Cumberland — softer than typical Valley and Ridge community supplies further south.
At 92.5 mg/L, Cumberland's water is moderately soft — comfortable for household use. Scale forms slowly over months, soap lathers well, and appliances operate efficiently. Semi-annual descaling is adequate. The PFAS level of 5.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Allegany County manufacturing legacy (cellulose acetate manufacturing, tire cord production at the former Allied Signal plant) and the upper Potomac watershed industrial corridor contribute to Cumberland's PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Cumberland in Allegany County draws from the City of Cumberland Water treating Evitts Creek or the North Branch Potomac River — the North Branch Potomac drains the Ridge and Valley (Devonian and Silurian limestone, dolomite, and shale of the Appalachian Valley) and the Allegheny Front — Appalachian Ridge and Valley carbonate drainage produces moderately soft water at 92.5 mg/L with TDS 153 mg/L in this Allegany County Maryland city.