Hillcrest Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.2 grains per gallon
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
$0.28
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 Hillcrest Heights, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hillcrest Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -28% |
| Washing Machine | 9.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -19% |
| Water Heater | 11.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -24% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Hillcrest Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hillcrest Heights, Maryland | 105.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Suitland-Silver Hill, Maryland | 140 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Suitland, Maryland | 88 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Oxon Hill-Glassmanor, Maryland | 110 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Glassmanor, Maryland | 137 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Hillcrest Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hillcrest Heights | 105.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Hillcrest Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hillcrest Heights, Maryland, in Prince George's County — an unincorporated Prince George's County community adjacent to Camp Springs and Temple Hills in the south Washington DC suburbs — receives its municipal water from WSSC (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission), drawing from the Patuxent River reservoirs (Rocky Gorge and Duckett Reservoirs, Prince George's County) or the Potomac River through the WSSC system.
The moderately hard 105.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 186.5 mg/L are softer than other WSSC Prince George's communities (Beltsville: 133.5 mg/L), reflecting Hillcrest Heights' location in south Prince George's which may receive more Potomac River proportion (less calcareous) than the Patuxent-dominant northern zones. The WSSC supply blends the Maryland Piedmont (Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss — mostly insoluble) Patuxent watershed with the Potomac River supply (slightly less calcareous — Catoctin Formation headwaters), producing the moderately hard south PG County reading.
At 105.5 mg/L, Hillcrest Heights' water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Joint Base Andrews (Prince George's County — AFFF, the dominant south PG County PFAS source, directly adjacent to Hillcrest Heights), and the Washington DC metro PFAS complex contribute to Hillcrest Heights' readings.
Geology & Source: Hillcrest Heights in Prince George's County draws from WSSC on the Patuxent River (Prince George's County, south Maryland) — the Patuxent drains the Maryland Piedmont (Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss — moderately crystalline) and Coastal Plain calcareous — Maryland Prince George's County WSSC Patuxent Piedmont-Coastal Plain watershed produces moderately hard water at 105.5 mg/L with TDS 186.5 mg/L.