Lake Shore Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works operates the water supply for Lake Shore, Maryland, serving over 150,000 customers including the Lake Shore community along the Chesapeake Bay. Water is sourced primarily from the Patuxent River (surface water) via the Patuxent Filtration Plant and supplemented by groundwater from 21 wells tapping the Magothy and Patapsco aquifers. The Millers Plant treats surface water from the Patuxent, while well water undergoes treatment at various booster stations, covering the county service area from Pasadena to Annapolis.

The supply originates in the Patuxent River Watershed, spanning 908 square miles across multiple counties, and local Coastal Plain aquifers. Key formations include unconsolidated Quaternary and Tertiary sediments overlying Cretaceous sands of the Magothy Formation and Patapsco Formation, characterized by quartz sands with shell beds and limestone lenses. This geology imparts a moderately mineralised character to the water through natural leaching of alkaline earth metals from carbonate-rich Coastal Plain deposits, with surface waters moderated by dilution but retaining mineral content from aquifer blending.

Moderately hard water promotes moderate scale buildup in appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, reducing efficiency and spotting glassware over time. Plumbing fixtures and showerheads may accumulate white deposits while soap lathering is reduced. Regular maintenance includes deliming heaters annually, installing scale filters on faucets, and flushing hot water lines; a water softener is recommended for households with aesthetic concerns. County reports confirm compliance with EPA standards for pH (7.2–8.0), lead and copper (action levels not exceeded via corrosion control), and no PFAS detections above limits; treatment involves coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.