Ferndale Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.4 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.009 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
519.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.52
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 Ferndale, your appliances are currently losing 26% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Ferndale | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -64% |
| Washing Machine | 6.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -48% |
| Water Heater | 7.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -48% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Ferndale compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ferndale, Maryland | 196 mg/L | 10.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Glen Burnie, Maryland | 138.5 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Brooklyn Park, Maryland | 193 mg/L | 10.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| South Gate, Maryland | 180 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Severn, Maryland | 143 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Ferndale compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Ferndale | 196 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Ferndale's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Ferndale, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County — an unincorporated Anne Arundel County community adjacent to Glen Burnie and Linthicum near Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) in north Anne Arundel County — receives its municipal water from the Anne Arundel County Bureau of Utilities or Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW), drawing from Liberty Reservoir (North Branch Patapsco River, Carroll County) through the Baltimore regional water system.
The hard 196 mg/L hardness and elevated TDS of 519.6 mg/L reflect the Baltimore City DPW Patapsco-Liberty supply's mixed Piedmont-Triassic character. Liberty Reservoir drains the Maryland Piedmont — Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss (mostly insoluble), Cambrian Wissahickon Schist (slightly calcareous), and the Triassic Newark Basin (Brunswick Formation calcareous redbeds — the primary hardness contributor to the Patapsco watershed). The Triassic Newark Basin calcareous redbed influence produces the elevated hardness for a crystalline Piedmont watershed.
At 196 mg/L, Ferndale's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 10.7 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — BWI Airport (Anne Arundel County — AFFF, the dominant Anne Arundel PFAS source, directly adjacent to Ferndale), Fort Meade (Anne Arundel County — major AFFF site), and the Baltimore-Washington corridor PFAS complex produce Ferndale's very elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Ferndale in Anne Arundel County draws from Baltimore City DPW on Liberty Reservoir (Patapsco River, Anne Arundel area) — the Patapsco drains the Maryland Piedmont (Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss, Cambrian Wissahickon Schist, calcareous Triassic Newark Basin) — Maryland Anne Arundel County Patapsco Piedmont-Triassic watershed produces hard water at 196 mg/L with TDS 519.6 mg/L in this Anne Arundel County Maryland community.