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

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

Lanham Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.002 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

144 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

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

Appliance	In Lanham	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 Lanham compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Lanham, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Lanham-Seabrook, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Seabrook, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
New Carrollton, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Greenbelt, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Lanham compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 144 mg/LpH: 7.5

WSSC Water supplies the Lanham, Maryland area, drawing its supply from a combination of sources. These include the Potomac River system and groundwater from aquifers located within the Atlantic Coastal Plain. WSSC Water operates multiple treatment facilities and manages a vast distribution network to serve its customer base across Prince George's County and Montgomery County. The utility is committed to providing safe drinking water, regularly conducting extensive testing to meet regulatory standards.

The geology beneath Lanham is defined by Cretaceous and Tertiary sedimentary formations typical of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. These ancient marine deposits are rich in carbonate minerals, such as calcite and magnesium calcite. As water interacts with these formations, either flowing through the Potomac River or percolating into the aquifers, it dissolves these minerals. This process is the primary reason for the characteristically hard water found in the region.

Homeowners in Lanham will likely notice the effects of this hard water, including the buildup of visible scale on faucets, showerheads, and inside pipes. Appliances like water heaters and dishwashers can suffer reduced efficiency and a shortened lifespan due to mineral accumulation. You might also find that soap doesn't lather as well, requiring more product for cleaning, and laundry may appear less bright. To combat these issues and extend the life of your plumbing and appliances, installing a water softener is a practical solution. WSSC Water provides detailed water quality information annually.

Geology & Source: Atlantic Coastal Plain sediments; Cretaceous and Tertiary formations with calcite and magnesium calcite produce hard water

Other Maryland Water Reports

Lanham-Seabrook

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Seabrook

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

New Carrollton

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Greenbelt

≈ 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 Lanham's water safe to drink?

Yes. Lanham'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 Lanham?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Lanham'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 Lanham compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Lanham (≈ 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 Lanham 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.