Damascus Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
161 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.26
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 Damascus, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Damascus | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -25% |
| Washing Machine | 10 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 11.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Damascus compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Damascus, Maryland | 96 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Clarksburg, Maryland | 170 mg/L | 9.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Montgomery Village, Maryland | 81.5 mg/L | 4.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Germantown, Maryland | 131 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Gaithersburg, Maryland | 121.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Damascus compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Damascus | 96 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Damascus's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Damascus, Maryland, in Montgomery County — a Montgomery County community adjacent to Clarksburg and Laytonsville in north-central Montgomery County — receives its water from WSSC Water, drawing from the Potomac River (at the WSSC Potomac Water Filtration Plant) through the central Maryland distribution.
The moderately soft 96 mg/L hardness and TDS of 161 mg/L are softer than the WSSC average (East Riverdale: 153 mg/L) — reflecting Damascus' position in the north Montgomery County service zone where the Potomac supply is blended or treated differently, or local groundwater supplementation. The Potomac River WSSC supply drains the Virginia Blue Ridge — Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone (insoluble — significant dilutant), Triassic Culpeper Basin (calcareous — moderate hardness contributor), and Cambrian Conococheague Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor). The relatively higher insoluble input at this treatment configuration produces the softer Damascus supply.
At 96 mg/L, Damascus' water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.1 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Montgomery County north central Maryland corridor and the Potomac River PFAS background from military facilities upstream (Fort Detrick — Frederick, MD, AFFF) contribute to Damascus' readings.
Geology & Source: Damascus in Montgomery County draws from WSSC Water on the Potomac River (Montgomery County, central Maryland) — the Potomac at WSSC draws from the Great Falls water supply — Maryland Montgomery County Potomac River watershed produces moderately soft water at 96 mg/L with TDS 161 mg/L in this Montgomery County Maryland community.