Essex Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
438.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.47
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 Essex, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Essex | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -56% |
| Washing Machine | 7 yrs | 12 yrs | -42% |
| Water Heater | 8.5 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Essex compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Essex, Maryland | 177.5 mg/L | 9.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Rossville, Maryland | 181.5 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Rosedale, Maryland | 179.5 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Middle River, Maryland | 186 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Frankford, Maryland | 87.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Essex compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Essex | 177.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Essex's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Essex, Maryland, an unincorporated community in Baltimore County on the Middle River — a historically working-class east Baltimore County waterfront community (Essex was a major defense and manufacturing community in World War II — home of Martin Aircraft and the Glenn L. Martin Company plant, now the Martin State Airport), a diverse east Baltimore County community with a strong blue-collar heritage, and a Baltimore east suburban community on the Chesapeake Bay tributaries — draws its municipal water supply via the Baltimore City DPW. Water hardness in Essex measures 177.5 mg/L — classified as hard.
Essex's hard supply reflects the Baltimore area Piedmont watershed's calcareous-moderate geology and Baltimore DPW distribution. The Loch Raven and Liberty Reservoirs watershed drains: the Baltimore County Piedmont (Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss — calcareous-moderate amphibolite-bearing gneiss); the Cambrian Cockeysville Marble (a distinctive calcareous marble formation of Baltimore County — the Cockeysville Marble, named for the Baltimore County town, is a significant calcareous marble unit that contributes substantially to Maryland Piedmont water hardness); and calcareous Ordovician Wissahickon schist. The Cockeysville Marble and calcareous Baltimore Gneiss watershed produce the harder 177.5 mg/L at Essex.
At 177.5 mg/L, Essex residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling with citric acid solution is standard maintenance. Baltimore City DPW consistently delivers water meeting all Maryland MDE and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Gunpowder Falls and Patuxent River (Loch Raven and Liberty Reservoir) via the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) — the Baltimore County northeast Maryland Chesapeake Piedmont (Precambrian calcareous-moderate Baltimore Gneiss and Port Deposit Gneiss and Cambrian calcareous-moderate Cockeysville Marble — the calcareous Piedmont zone); hard supply at 177.5 mg/L in Baltimore County.