Mays Chapel Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
405.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.45
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 Mays Chapel, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Mays Chapel | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -53% |
| Washing Machine | 7.3 yrs | 12 yrs | -39% |
| Water Heater | 8.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -41% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Mays Chapel compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mays Chapel, Maryland | 169.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland | 132.5 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Cockeysville, Maryland | 179 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Towson, Maryland | 134 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hunt Valley, Maryland | 135 mg/L | 7.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Mays Chapel compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Mays Chapel | 169.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Mays Chapel's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Mays Chapel, Maryland, in Baltimore County — a Baltimore County unincorporated community adjacent to Timonium and Lutherville in the north Baltimore suburbs — receives its water from Baltimore County Department of Public Works, drawing from Loch Raven Reservoir on the Gunpowder Falls watershed through the north Maryland distribution.
The hard 169.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 405.7 mg/L are notably elevated for Baltimore County, which normally averages softer — the Gunpowder Falls watershed at Baltimore County drains Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss and Cambrian Setters Formation calcareous metasediments, with the higher TDS possibly reflecting distribution blending with groundwater or seasonal carbonate dissolution (compare Timonium MD: 165/396 in Baltimore County comparable; Lutherville MD: 173/414 in Baltimore County comparable; Mays Chapel consistent hard from the same Baltimore County Loch Raven Reservoir Precambrian-Cambrian calcareous supply). The Gunpowder Falls watershed — Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss (insoluble — primary dilutant), Cambrian Setters Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), and Quaternary Gunpowder alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 169.5 mg/L with TDS 406, Mays Chapel's water is hard — scale builds in appliances. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 9.2 ppt is very elevated — a certified drinking water filter with PFAS removal is strongly recommended — the Baltimore County Maryland industrial and military legacy contributes to Mays Chapel's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Mays Chapel in Baltimore County draws from the Baltimore County Water on Loch Raven Reservoir (Baltimore County, north Maryland) — the Gunpowder Falls watershed drains Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss (insoluble) and Cambrian Setters Formation (calcareous) — Maryland Baltimore County Loch Raven Reservoir Precambrian-Cambrian calcareous supply produces hard water at 169.5 mg/L with TDS 405.7 mg/L.