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

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

Linthicum Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.6

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.003 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

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

Appliance	In Linthicum	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 Linthicum compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Linthicum, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Ferndale, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Brooklyn Park, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Glen Burnie, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Elkridge, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9.2 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Linthicum compares to the USA average

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

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 193.4 mg/LpH: 7.6

Unfortunately, specific water quality details for Linthicum, Maryland, including its exact water hardness or primary source, are not readily available. Linthicum is situated in Anne Arundel County, which receives its water supply from either the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works or WSSC Water. Both of these utilities provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports that detail their water quality. Residents seeking precise information should reach out directly to Anne Arundel County DPW at (410) 222-7582 or check the WSSC Water website for the most current reports.

Linthicum's water, like much of the region, is influenced by the geological makeup of Anne Arundel County. The water is drawn from the Baltimore City Water system, which utilizes the Loch Raven/Prettyboy watershed. This watershed taps into Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss, a rock type known for its insolubility. Additionally, the Cambrian Setters Formation, which is slightly calcareous, contributes to the water's mineral content, resulting in moderately hard water with measurable total dissolved solids.

Homeowners in areas with moderately hard water often notice mineral buildup, or scale, on faucets, showerheads, and inside coffee makers. This scale can also affect the efficiency and lifespan of appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. You might find that soap and detergents don't lather as readily. A water softener can be a worthwhile investment to combat these effects, reducing scale formation and improving the performance of cleaning products. Regular descaling of appliances can also help maintain their functionality.

Geology & Source: Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss and Cambrian Setters Formation; gneiss is insoluble, calcareous formation contributes moderate hardness

Other Maryland Water Reports

Ferndale

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Brooklyn Park

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Glen Burnie

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Elkridge

≈ 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 Linthicum's water safe to drink?

Yes. Linthicum'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 Linthicum?

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

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