Lanham Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
144 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.24
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 Lanham, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lanham | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -22% |
| Washing Machine | 10.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -14% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lanham compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lanham, Maryland | 89.5 mg/L | 4.7 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Lanham-Seabrook, Maryland | 129 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Seabrook, Maryland | 137.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| New Carrollton, Maryland | 123 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Greenbelt, Maryland | 169.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Lanham compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lanham | 89.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Lanham's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lanham, Maryland, in Prince George's County — a Prince George's County unincorporated community adjacent to Bowie and Greenbelt in the east Washington DC suburbs — receives its water from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), drawing from the Patuxent River through the central Maryland distribution.
The moderately hard 89.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 144 mg/L reflect the Prince George's County supply's moderate Maryland Coastal Plain character — the Cretaceous Patuxent Formation and Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss are sandy calcareous-insoluble formations in the Maryland Piedmont and Coastal Plain; WSSC's Patuxent River supply at the Prince George's County distribution delivers consistently moderate water quality throughout the east DC suburbs (compare Bowie MD: 86/138 in Prince George's County comparable; Greenbelt MD: 92/150 in Prince George's County comparable; Lanham consistent moderate from the same Prince George's County Patuxent River Cretaceous supply). The Patuxent River supply — Cretaceous Patuxent Formation (sandy calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), and Quaternary Coastal Plain alluvium (slightly calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 89.5 mg/L with TDS 144, Lanham's water is moderately hard — mild scale buildup. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.7 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review WSSC's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Lanham in Prince George's County draws from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission on the Patuxent River supply (Prince George's County, central Maryland) — the Maryland Piedmont at Prince George's County draws from Cretaceous Patuxent Formation (sandy calcareous) and Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss (insoluble) — Maryland Prince George's County Patuxent River Cretaceous supply produces moderately hard water at 89.5 mg/L with TDS 144 mg/L.