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

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

Edgewood 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

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

91 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 Edgewood, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Edgewood	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 Edgewood compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Edgewood, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Joppatowne, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Bel Air South, Maryland	122 mg/L	120 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
South Bel Air, Maryland	122 mg/L	9.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Bel Air, Maryland	122 mg/L	120 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Edgewood compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 91 mg/LpH: 6.6

The primary utility serving Edgewood, Maryland, is the Edgewood Area water system (MD012-0010), operated under Army Garrison oversight at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) South, with supplemental supply from Harford County. Water originates mainly from the Van Bibber Water Treatment Plant in Edgewood, sourcing surface water from Winters Run, a tributary in the Susquehanna River watershed. Additional sources include Loch Raven Reservoir and groundwater wells, treated and distributed across Harford County to APG South customers. This mixed supply ensures redundancy, as demonstrated during the August 2017 pump failure when county sources were utilized to maintain service.

The Winters Run watershed drains into the Chesapeake Bay via the Susquehanna system, with catchment geology dominated by Piedmont metamorphic rocks such as gneiss, schist, and quartzite from Precambrian to early Paleozoic periods. Loch Raven Reservoir is impounded over similar crystalline bedrock with thin soil cover, and shallow wells tap fractured aquifers in unconsolidated glacial and alluvial deposits. This geology imparts a moderately mineralised character through gradual leaching of calcium and magnesium from weathered silicates and minor carbonate veins, without the aggressive hardness from thick limestone formations found elsewhere in Maryland.

Moderately hard water leads to moderate scale buildup in appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and leaving spots on glassware. Boilers and faucets may show visible deposits, increasing energy costs. Regular maintenance includes monthly vinegar descaling for showerheads and coffee makers, annual flushing of water heaters, and installing sediment filters. A water softener is often recommended for households with laundry stiffness or dry skin. The 2017 APG Edgewood CCR confirms compliance for all tested parameters; treatment at Van Bibber WTP includes coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection of Winters Run surface water.

Geology & Source: Winters Run watershed — Susquehanna basin; Piedmont Precambrian-Paleozoic gneiss and schist; fractured bedrock and glacial-alluvial aquifers yield calcium and magnesium — moderately mineralised; limited limestone keeps hardness moderate

Other Maryland Water Reports

Joppatowne

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bel Air South

122 mg/L

🟠 Hard

South Bel Air

122 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Bel Air

122 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Edgewood's water safe to drink?

Yes. Edgewood'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 Edgewood?

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

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