New Carrollton Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
238.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.33
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 New Carrollton, your appliances are currently losing 16% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In New Carrollton | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -35% |
| Washing Machine | 9 yrs | 12 yrs | -25% |
| Water Heater | 10.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -29% |
Regional Water Comparison
How New Carrollton compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ New Carrollton, Maryland | 123 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Lanham-Seabrook, Maryland | 129 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Seabrook, Maryland | 137.5 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| East Riverdale, Maryland | 153 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Greenbelt, Maryland | 169.5 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How New Carrollton compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ New Carrollton | 123 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes New Carrollton's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
New Carrollton, Maryland, in Prince George's County — a Prince George's County city adjacent to Hyattsville and Lanham in central Maryland — receives its water from the WSSC Water, drawing from the Patuxent River or Potomac River (Prince George's County) through the central Maryland distribution.
The moderately hard 123 mg/L hardness and TDS of 238.5 mg/L reflect the central Maryland Prince George's County WSSC supply's moderate calcareous character — softer than Kettering MD (190/493) on the same county supply, reflecting New Carrollton's draw from the Potomac-dominated WSSC blend which provides greater dilution from the Precambrian Piedmont insoluble component. The WSSC supply at Prince George's County — Cretaceous Patuxent Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss (insoluble — dilutant), and Quaternary Coastal Plain alluvium (calcareous — minor TDS).
At 123 mg/L, New Carrollton's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 6.6 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Prince George's County central Maryland military and industrial corridor contribute to New Carrollton's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: New Carrollton in Prince George's County draws from the WSSC Water on Patuxent River or Potomac River (Prince George's County, central Maryland) — the Patuxent-Potomac watershed at Prince George's County drains the Maryland Piedmont (Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss — insoluble) and Cretaceous Patuxent Formation (calcareous) — Maryland Prince George's County WSSC Patuxent Precambrian-Cretaceous supply produces moderately hard water at 123 mg/L with TDS 238.5 mg/L.