Kettering Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
11.1 grains per gallon
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
$0.51
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 Kettering, your appliances are currently losing 25% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Kettering | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -61% |
| Washing Machine | 6.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -45% |
| Water Heater | 8 yrs | 15 yrs | -47% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Kettering compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kettering, Maryland | 190 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Forestville, Maryland | 95 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Greater Upper Marlboro, Maryland | 121.5 mg/L | 6.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Lanham-Seabrook, Maryland | 129 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Landover, Maryland | 87.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Kettering compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Kettering | 190 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Kettering's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Kettering, Maryland, in Prince George's County — a Prince George's County unincorporated community adjacent to Bowie and Upper Marlboro in central Maryland — receives its water from the WSSC Water, drawing from the Patuxent River or Potomac River (Prince George's County) through the central Maryland distribution.
The hard 190 mg/L hardness and TDS of 492.7 mg/L reflect the central Maryland Prince George's County WSSC supply's hard calcareous character — the Patuxent River and Potomac River drainage contributes significant calcareous hardness from the Cretaceous coastal plain formations, consistent with the WSSC Prince George's County communities (compare New Carrollton MD: 123/239 on the same county supply; Kettering significantly harder from a deeper Patuxent Formation calcareous draw). The WSSC supply at Prince George's County — Cretaceous Patuxent Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss (insoluble — dilutant), and Quaternary Coastal Plain alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 190 mg/L with TDS 493, Kettering'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 10.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Prince George's County central Maryland military and industrial corridor contribute to Kettering's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Kettering in Prince George's County draws from the WSSC Water on Patuxent River or Potomac River (Prince George's County, central Maryland) — the Patuxent-Potomac watershed at Prince George's County drains the Maryland Piedmont (Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss — insoluble) and Cretaceous Patuxent Formation (calcareous) — Maryland Prince George's County WSSC Patuxent Precambrian-Cretaceous supply produces hard water at 190 mg/L with TDS 492.7 mg/L.