Overlea Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.2 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
425.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.47
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 Overlea, your appliances are currently losing 23% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Overlea | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -55% |
| Washing Machine | 7.1 yrs | 12 yrs | -41% |
| Water Heater | 8.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -43% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Overlea compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Overlea, Maryland | 174.5 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Parkville, Maryland | 186.5 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Carney, Maryland | 109.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Frankford, Maryland | 87.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Rosedale, Maryland | 179.5 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Overlea compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Overlea | 174.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Overlea's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Overlea, Maryland, in Baltimore County — a Baltimore County unincorporated community adjacent to Parkville and Carney in north-central Maryland — receives its water from the Baltimore City Water, drawing from Loch Raven Reservoir (Baltimore County) through the north-central Maryland distribution.
The hard 174.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 425.9 mg/L reflect the north-central Maryland Baltimore County Loch Raven supply's hard calcareous character — the Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss insoluble and Ordovician Cockeysville Marble calcareous produce hard water in the Baltimore distribution (compare Canton MD: 105/185 in Baltimore City softer on the same Loch Raven supply; Overlea harder at the Baltimore County distribution end where Cockeysville Marble calcareous contact accumulates). The Loch Raven system at Baltimore County — Ordovician Cockeysville Marble (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss (insoluble — dilutant), and Quaternary Gunpowder alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 174.5 mg/L with TDS 426, Overlea's water is hard. A water softener is recommended to prevent scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 9.5 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Baltimore County north-central Maryland industrial corridor contribute to Overlea's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Overlea in Baltimore County is served by Baltimore City Water drawing from Loch Raven Reservoir — the Gunpowder-Loch Raven watershed drains Ordovician Cockeysville Marble (calcareous) and Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss (insoluble) — MD Baltimore County Loch Raven Ordovician calcareous supply produces hard water at 174.5 mg/L with TDS 425.9 mg/L.