How does Pasadena's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Pasadena (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Pasadena Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.008 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

487.6 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Pasadena, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Pasadena	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Pasadena compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Pasadena, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Green Haven, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Severna Park, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
South Gate, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Glen Burnie, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Pasadena compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Pasadena	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Pasadena's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 487.6 mg/LpH: 8.3

Pasadena, Maryland is located in Anne Arundel County and draws from the Baltimore City water supply system, sourced from Loch Raven Reservoir. Anne Arundel County operates a public water system serving the area. No dedicated utility name or treatment plant specific to Pasadena, Maryland was identified in available sources. For detailed water quality information, Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works can be reached at (410) 222-7582, and official Drinking Water Quality Reports are available through their website or county library branches.

The Loch Raven watershed drains the Piedmont Province and the Valley and Ridge carbonate transition zone, passing over Ordovician limestone and Cambrian carbonate formations. This carbonate-influenced Piedmont Province reservoir drainage imparts dissolved calcium and magnesium to the water supply. The combination of Piedmont geology and carbonate rock contact in the watershed is characteristic of the hard water conditions produced in this region.

Hard water from carbonate-rich reservoir drainage produces scale buildup on fixtures, faucets, and in water heaters and dishwashers. Residents should consider periodic descaling with vinegar on aerators and showerheads. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and extend appliance lifespan. For current hardness measurements and water quality parameters, consult the Anne Arundel County annual Drinking Water Quality Report or contact the Department of Public Works directly.

Geology & Source: Anne Arundel County draws from Baltimore City's Loch Raven Reservoir — Loch Raven watershed drains Piedmont Province and Valley and Ridge carbonate zone over Ordovician limestone and Cambrian carbonate formations; produces hard water

Other Maryland Water Reports

Green Haven

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Severna Park

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

South Gate

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Glen Burnie

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pasadena's water safe to drink?

Yes. Pasadena's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Pasadena?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Pasadena's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Pasadena compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Pasadena (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Pasadena is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.