How does Glen Burnie's water compare to the national average?

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

Glen Burnie Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

289 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 Glen Burnie, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Glen Burnie	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 Glen Burnie compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Glen Burnie, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Ferndale, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
South Gate, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Linthicum, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Brooklyn Park, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Glen Burnie compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Glen Burnie	≈ 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 Glen Burnie's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 289 mg/LpH: 7.9

The Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works supplies water to Glen Burnie, Maryland, operating 12 water treatment facilities that draw exclusively from deep aquifers: the Patapsco, Patuxent, and Aquia formations. These facilities collectively produce about 12.6 billion gallons of treated drinking water annually for customers in the Glen Burnie/Broadneck system and surrounding areas. Groundwater is pumped, treated, and distributed through the county's public works infrastructure serving the community.

The supply originates from the Atlantic Coastal Plain watershed in Maryland, where aquifers are embedded in sedimentary deposits of sands, clays, and gravels spanning Cretaceous to Miocene eras. Key formations include the Patapsco (Cretaceous sands overlying Arundel Clay), Patuxent (Cretaceous sands and clays), and Aquia (Miocene glauconitic sands). Prolonged contact with calcareous sediments dissolves calcium and magnesium, shaping the water toward moderate hardness without surface runoff influences.

As moderately hard water, Glen Burnie's supply promotes scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers, potentially reducing efficiency and lifespan while causing dry skin or soap scum in bathrooms. Boilers and faucets are also affected by limescale accumulation over time. Regular vinegar descaling, installing scale inhibitors, or using a water softener is recommended to improve lathering and appliance performance. Tap water meets federal and state safety guidelines, with filtration and disinfection at all 12 facilities. The 2022 Anne Arundel County Water Quality Report notes Phase II/V metals monitoring violations for Glen Burnie/Broadneck — resolved with 2023 finished-water samples — and confirms lead/copper tap sampling compliance.

Geology & Source: Atlantic Coastal Plain — Cretaceous Patapsco Formation (Arundel Clay, Patapsco Sand) and Patuxent Formation sands and clays; Miocene Aquia glauconitic sands; calcium and magnesium leach from calcareous sediment lenses — hard groundwater supply

Other Maryland Water Reports

Ferndale

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

South Gate

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Linthicum

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Brooklyn Park

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Glen Burnie's water safe to drink?

Yes. Glen Burnie'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 Glen Burnie?

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

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