Olney Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Olney, Maryland, receives its drinking water from WSSC Water (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission), the utility serving Montgomery and Prince George's Counties and over 1.8 million customers across 1,300 square miles. The supply originates from the Potomac River and Patuxent River, treated at facilities including the Washington Aqueduct for Potomac water and the Patuxent Water Filtration Plant. Olney lies within the Potomac service area near the river's fall line.

The Potomac River watershed spans 14,670 square miles across four states, with headwaters in the Appalachian Mountains flowing through the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. In the Olney vicinity, water contacts fractured metamorphic bedrock of the Precambrian Mather Gorge Formation and downstream sedimentary layers including Cretaceous Arundel Clay and Patapsco Formation, imparting a hard, mineral-rich character through natural dissolution. The Patuxent watershed features similar geology, with limestone and dolomite outcrops contributing to the overall mineralized character of the blended source.

Hard water leads to scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan. White deposits on fixtures and reduced soap lathering are common. Regular vinegar descaling, sediment filters, and hot water heater flushing help mitigate effects; a water softener is recommended to prevent appliance damage. WSSC Water conducts over 500,000 tests annually; treatment involves coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and chloramination. Recent reports show pH 7.2–8.0, copper under action levels, and no lead exceedances post-corrosion control upgrades. PFAS monitoring is ongoing with levels below advisory thresholds.