Havre de Grace Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
130.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.22
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 Havre de Grace, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Havre de Grace | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 10.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Havre de Grace compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Havre de Grace, Maryland | 84 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Aberdeen, Maryland | 188.5 mg/L | 10.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Bel Air South, Maryland | 90 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Edgewood, Maryland | 161.5 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| South Bel Air, Maryland | 178.5 mg/L | 9.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Havre de Grace compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Havre de Grace | 84 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Havre de Grace's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Havre de Grace, Maryland, in Harford County — a Harford County city adjacent to Aberdeen and Bel Air at the mouth of the Susquehanna River on Chesapeake Bay in northeast Maryland — receives its water from the Havre de Grace Water System or Harford County utilities, drawing from the Susquehanna River (Harford County) through the northeast Maryland distribution.
The moderately soft 84 mg/L hardness and TDS of 130.3 mg/L reflect the northeast Maryland Harford County Susquehanna River supply's soft character — driven by the Appalachian Plateau's Devonian shale and Ordovician Martinsburg Formation watershed with limited calcareous dissolution, typical of the upper Susquehanna River corridor communities that draw from the plateau shale terrain before the river enters the Chesapeake plain. The Susquehanna River at Harford County — Devonian Hamilton shale (insoluble — primary dilutant), Ordovician Martinsburg shale (insoluble — dilutant), and limited Cambrian limestone (slightly calcareous — trace contributor).
At 84 mg/L, Havre de Grace's water is moderately soft — light scale forms slowly in appliances, dishwashers remain efficient, and bathroom fixtures need occasional cleaning. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Aberdeen Proving Ground (Harford County — AFFF) is a key contributor to Havre de Grace's PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Havre de Grace in Harford County draws from the Havre de Grace Water System on the Susquehanna River (Harford County, northeast Maryland) — the Susquehanna at Harford County drains the Appalachian Plateau (Devonian Hamilton shale — insoluble) and Ordovician Martinsburg shale (insoluble) with limited Cambrian limestone — Maryland Harford County Susquehanna River Devonian-Ordovician insoluble plateau produces moderately soft water at 84 mg/L with TDS 130.3 mg/L.