Hillcrest Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
186.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Hillcrest Heights, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hillcrest Heights | 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 Hillcrest Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hillcrest Heights, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hillcrest, District of Columbia | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
| Suitland-Silver Hill, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Suitland, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Oxon Hill-Glassmanor, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Hillcrest Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hillcrest Heights | ≈ 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 Hillcrest Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The WSSC Water utility serves Hillcrest Heights, MD, drawing water primarily from the Potomac River, with additional supplies from the Patuxent River and groundwater from confined aquifers. Key treatment facilities include the Potomac Water Filtration Plant and Patuxent Water Filtration Plant, distributing water to over 1.8 million customers across a 5,000-square-mile service area. The water originates from the Potomac River Watershed, spanning the Appalachian Piedmont and Coastal Plain physiographic provinces.
The underlying geology of the area includes metamorphic and sedimentary rocks of the Glenarm Series transitioning to Cretaceous sands and gravels of the Potomac Group. Limestone and marble formations in the upstream watershed dissolve, imparting a hard character to the mixed surface-groundwater supply through natural mineral leaching. The region's karst features and sedimentary rock dissolution promote mineral loading as water percolates through fractured aquifers and riverbed sediments.
Homeowners in Hillcrest Heights, MD, may notice the effects of hard water, including scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. To mitigate these effects, regular vinegar descaling, installing scale-inhibiting filters, and flushing hot water heaters annually can help. A water softener is recommended for households experiencing noticeable scaling. WSSC Water maintains compliance with EPA standards, with pH typically 7.2-8.0, and the system meets lead and copper rules through corrosion control, though older homes may require fixture testing.
Geology & Source: Potomac River Aquifer; Patuxent Aquifer; Cretaceous - Tertiary sedimentary; limestone; dolomite; Paleozoic to Mesozoic periods
Other Maryland Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hillcrest Heights's water safe to drink?
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How does Hillcrest Heights compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Hillcrest Heights is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.