Kemp Mill Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.7 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.3
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
462.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.49
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 Kemp Mill, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Kemp Mill | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -58% |
| Washing Machine | 6.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Kemp Mill compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kemp Mill, Maryland | 183 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| White Oak, Maryland | 100 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Glenmont, Maryland | 142.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Wheaton, Maryland | 95 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Colesville, Maryland | 182 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Kemp Mill compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kemp Mill | 183 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Kemp Mill's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Kemp Mill, Maryland, in Montgomery County — a Montgomery County unincorporated community adjacent to Silver Spring and Wheaton in central Maryland — receives its water from the WSSC Water, drawing from the Potomac River or Patuxent River (Montgomery County) through the central Maryland distribution.
The hard 183 mg/L hardness and TDS of 462.9 mg/L reflect the central Maryland Montgomery County WSSC supply's hard calcareous character — comparable to Kettering MD (190/493) in Prince George's County on the same WSSC supply, the Cretaceous Patuxent Formation and Quaternary coastal plain alluvium contribute significant hardness to the WSSC Montgomery County distribution. The WSSC supply at Montgomery County — Cretaceous Patuxent Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss (insoluble — dilutant), and Quaternary Coastal Plain alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 183 mg/L with TDS 463, Kemp Mill's water is hard. A water softener is recommended to prevent scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 10.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Montgomery County central Maryland military and industrial corridor contribute to Kemp Mill's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Kemp Mill in Montgomery County draws from the WSSC Water on the Potomac River or Patuxent River (Montgomery County, central Maryland) — the Potomac watershed at Montgomery County drains the Maryland Piedmont (Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss — insoluble) and Cretaceous Patuxent Formation (calcareous) — Maryland Montgomery County WSSC Potomac Precambrian-Cretaceous calcareous supply produces hard water at 183 mg/L with TDS 462.9 mg/L.