East Riverdale Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
341.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.41
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 East Riverdale, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In East Riverdale | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -46% |
| Washing Machine | 7.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -34% |
| Water Heater | 9.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -37% |
Regional Water Comparison
How East Riverdale compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ East Riverdale, Maryland | 153 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Landover, Maryland | 87.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| New Carrollton, Maryland | 123 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| College Park, Maryland | 183 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Hyattsville, Maryland | 140.5 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How East Riverdale compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ East Riverdale | 153 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes East Riverdale's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
East Riverdale, Maryland, in Prince George's County — an unincorporated Prince George's County community adjacent to Riverdale Park and Bladensburg in central Maryland — receives its municipal water from WSSC Water, drawing from the Potomac River (at the WSSC Potomac Water Filtration Plant, Montgomery County) through the central Maryland distribution system.
The moderately hard 153 mg/L hardness and TDS of 341.8 mg/L are slightly harder than the DC Adams Morgan Potomac supply (120.5 mg/L) — reflecting the WSSC Potomac Plant's different treatment and service zone characteristics compared to the DC Washington Aqueduct. The Potomac River at the WSSC intake drains the Virginia Blue Ridge — Precambrian Catoctin Greenstone (mostly insoluble), Triassic Culpeper Basin (calcareous redbed arkose — moderate hardness contributor), and Cambrian Conococheague Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor at this intake zone). The Triassic and Cambrian calcareous input produces the moderately hard WSSC Potomac supply.
At 153 mg/L, East Riverdale'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 8.3 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — the Prince George's County central Maryland military corridor (Joint Base Andrews — AFFF, directly adjacent to Prince George's County), and the Potomac River PFAS background contribute to East Riverdale's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: East Riverdale in Prince George's County draws from WSSC Water on the Potomac River (Prince George's County, central Maryland) — the Potomac at WSSC draws from the Great Falls water supply (Blue Plains watershed) — Maryland Prince George's County Potomac River watershed produces moderately hard water at 153 mg/L with TDS 341.8 mg/L in this Prince George's County Maryland community.