Olney Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
395.7 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 Olney, your appliances are currently losing 22% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Olney | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -52% |
| Washing Machine | 7.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -38% |
| Water Heater | 8.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -41% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Olney compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Olney, Maryland | 167 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Aspen Hill, Maryland | 95.5 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Redland, Maryland | 142 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Cloverly, Maryland | 177 mg/L | 9.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Glenmont, Maryland | 142.5 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Olney compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Olney | 167 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Olney's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Olney, Maryland, an unincorporated community in Montgomery County — a major north Montgomery County community (Olney is a significant unincorporated Montgomery County community in the north county corridor — a primarily affluent suburban residential community in the Georgia Avenue corridor north of Rockville and Gaithersburg), a diverse Montgomery County community with a significant South Asian-American, Korean-American, and African-American professional population, home of multiple large houses of worship and religious communities (Olney is home of significant Quaker meeting houses and is part of the historic Quaker presence in Maryland), and adjacent to the Olney Theatre (a historic Maryland theatrical venue, one of Maryland's oldest professional theaters) — draws its municipal water supply via the WSSC Water. Water hardness in Olney measures 167 mg/L — classified as hard.
Olney's hard supply reflects the WSSC supply characteristics and the north Montgomery County distribution zone. The WSSC Patuxent River watershed (Triadelphia and Rocky Gorge Reservoirs) drains the Maryland Piedmont and the Cambrian Cockeysville Marble (calcareous marble of Howard County). WSSC distributes through the north Montgomery County Olney zone (primarily 1970s–1980s suburban development mains), producing the hard 167 mg/L — somewhat harder than the Clinton and Oxon Hill south Prince George's zones.
At 167 mg/L, Olney residents face regular hard water challenges. Monthly descaling with citric acid solution is recommended. WSSC Water consistently delivers water meeting all Maryland MDE and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply via the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC Water) — the Montgomery County north Maryland DC suburban corridor (WSSC Patuxent River Triadelphia and Rocky Gorge Reservoirs — the Maryland Piedmont calcareous-moderate supply; WSSC north Montgomery County distribution to Olney zone); hard supply at 167 mg/L in Montgomery County.