How does Kettering's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Kettering (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Kettering Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

492.7 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Kettering, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Kettering	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 Kettering compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Kettering, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Largo, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Mitchellville, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.9 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Summerfield, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Forestville, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Kettering compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Kettering	≈ 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 Kettering's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 492.7 mg/LpH: 8.3

Kettering, Maryland residents are supplied by WSSC Water, a regional utility for the Washington, D.C. metro area. While specific treatment plants and reservoirs serving Kettering weren't identified, WSSC Water draws from the Patuxent River or the Potomac River. This utility conducts extensive water quality testing across its service regions, with results detailed in annual reports. Prince George's County is the specific location for this supply.

The geology beneath Prince George's County includes Cretaceous and Tertiary sedimentary layers. These deposits, often composed of sand, silt, and clay, lie over limestone and marl formations. The interaction of water with these mineral-rich, carbonate-based bedrock types is what causes the water in Kettering to be characteristically hard.

Homeowners in Kettering may notice scale buildup on faucets and showerheads, along with reduced lathering from soaps and detergents. Appliances like washing machines and water heaters can also see their lifespans shortened due to mineral deposits. Installing a whole-house water softener or a point-of-use system is often recommended for residents dealing with these effects. Performing regular appliance maintenance and descaling can also help mitigate issues.

Geology & Source: Patuxent-Potomac watershed; Cretaceous calcareous formations and Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss produce hard water

Other Maryland Water Reports

Largo

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Mitchellville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Summerfield

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Forestville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kettering's water safe to drink?

Yes. Kettering's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Kettering?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Kettering's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Kettering compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Kettering (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Kettering is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.