Lake Shore Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
130.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.22
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 Lake Shore, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lake Shore | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 10.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lake Shore compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lake Shore, Maryland | 84 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Riviera Beach, Maryland | 160 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Severna Park, Maryland | 145 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Green Haven, Maryland | 166.5 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Arnold, Maryland | 90 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Lake Shore compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lake Shore | 84 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Lake Shore's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lake Shore, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County — an unincorporated Anne Arundel County community on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in the Severn River peninsula corridor, adjacent to Gibson Island and Arnold, a suburban community in the central Anne Arundel County Chesapeake shoreline belt — receives its municipal water from the Anne Arundel County Bureau of Utilities, drawing from the Patuxent River reservoirs or the Susquehanna-Conowingo supply.
The moderately soft 84 mg/L hardness and low TDS of 130.4 mg/L reflect the Maryland Piedmont reservoir supply's crystalline-watershed character. The Patuxent River drains the Maryland Piedmont (Proterozoic Baltimore Gneiss, Cambrian Setters Quartzite, Ordovician Wissahickon Schist) — all soft insoluble metamorphic rock. The Triadelphia and Rocky Gorge reservoirs collect this soft Piedmont drainage, and Anne Arundel County distributes the relatively soft treated water throughout the county's suburban west shore communities.
At 84 mg/L, Lake Shore's water is moderately soft — comfortable for household use. Scale forms slowly, soap lathers well, and appliances operate efficiently. Semi-annual descaling is adequate. The PFAS level of 4.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Fort Meade (Anne Arundel County — headquarters of US Cyber Command and NSA, a documented AFFF-using US Army base), the Patuxent River Naval Air Station (St. Mary's County — major Navy aviation AFFF user in the Patuxent River watershed), and the Anne Arundel County industrial PFAS background contribute to Lake Shore's readings.
Geology & Source: Lake Shore in Anne Arundel County draws from Anne Arundel County Bureau of Utilities on the Patuxent River (Rocky Gorge and Triadelphia Reservoirs) — the Patuxent drains the Maryland Piedmont (Proterozoic Baltimore Gneiss, Cambrian Setters Quartzite, Ordovician Wissahickon Schist) — Maryland Piedmont crystalline watershed produces moderately soft water at 84 mg/L with TDS 130 mg/L in this Anne Arundel County Maryland community.