Hyattsville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
296.6 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 Hyattsville, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Hyattsville | 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 Hyattsville compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hyattsville, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| College Park, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| East Riverdale, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Chillum, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Langley Park, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Hyattsville compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Hyattsville | ≈ 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 Hyattsville's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Hyattsville, in Prince George's County, Maryland, is served by WSSC Water (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission). The utility draws its blended supply from two major surface water sources: the Patuxent River, impounded at the Rocky Gorge Reservoir spanning the Prince George's–Montgomery County boundary, and the Potomac River. WSSC Water treats and distributes this blended supply across the Washington suburban region, including Hyattsville residents. The combined Piedmont-Appalachian watershed delivers a moderately hard water with measurable TDS to Prince George's County.
The Patuxent River watershed drains through the Piedmont physiographic province, where Precambrian Wissahickon Schist bedrock contributes a lower-mineral base flow. The Potomac River source passes through the Great Valley, where Cambrian-Ordovician limestone formations dissolve calcium and magnesium carbonates into the water. Blending these two geologically distinct supplies — schist-derived soft water and limestone-derived harder water — yields a moderately hard character across the WSSC distribution system serving Hyattsville.
Moderately hard water produces light scale buildup in water heaters and dishwashers over time, with some spotting on glassware and fixtures. Periodic vinegar descaling of showerheads and faucets manages deposits effectively. A water softener may benefit households sensitive to mineral effects, though moderate hardness means treatment is optional rather than urgent. For detailed hardness measurements and full compliance data, consult WSSC Water's official website at wsscwater.com or request the latest annual Consumer Confidence Report directly.
Geology & Source: WSSC Water blends Patuxent River (Rocky Gorge Reservoir) and Potomac River supplies; Precambrian Wissahickon Schist in Piedmont watershed; Cambrian-Ordovician limestone in Great Valley; blended supply is moderately hard
Other Maryland Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hyattsville's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Hyattsville?
How does Hyattsville compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Hyattsville 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.