Randallstown Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

7.9

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

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

Appliance	In Randallstown	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 Randallstown compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Randallstown, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Milford Mill, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Owings Mills, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	9.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Pikesville, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	4.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
Lochearn, Maryland	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Randallstown compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Randallstown	≈ 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 Randallstown's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 282.7 mg/LpH: 7.9

Randallstown, in Baltimore County, Maryland, receives its water from Baltimore City Water (Baltimore City Department of Public Works), the primary utility serving over 1.8 million people across Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and parts of Anne Arundel and Carroll counties. Key sources include Liberty Reservoir (surface water from the Patapsco River), Loch Raven Reservoir, and Prettyboy Reservoir, treated at the Montebello Water Filtration Plants and Ashburton Filtration Plant. Groundwater from wells in the Patapsco Valley supplements supply during peak demand. Randallstown falls within this service area with no independent local utility.

The supply originates in the Patapsco River watershed within the Piedmont physiographic province, characterized by rolling hills and fractured metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Underlying formations include the Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss complex and Triassic-Jurassic Gettysburg Shale/New Oxford Formation sandstones, with localized limestone in the Coastal Plain transition. These geologies dissolve calcium and magnesium ions as water percolates through soils and bedrock, yielding a moderately hard character. Surface runoff from forested and suburban lands adds organic content, while aquifer contributions from the Patapsco Valley enhance mineral stability.

At moderately hard levels, scale buildup occurs on faucets, showerheads, and inside water heaters, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Dishwashers and washing machines suffer from spotting and poor lather, increasing detergent use; boilers and coffee makers may develop clogged elements from mineral deposits. Maintenance involves annual flushing of heaters, quarterly vinegar descaling, and fitting low-flow aerators. A water softener is often recommended for households noticing scum or dry skin. Water quality meets EPA standards; treatment at the Montebello plants includes coagulation with alum, sedimentation, dual-media filtration, and chloramination, with lead/copper rule compliance achieved via orthophosphate addition since 2016.

Geology & Source: Liberty Reservoir on Patapsco River watershed; Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss, Triassic Gettysburg Shale and New Oxford Formation sandstones — carbonate and mafic rock outcrops leach calcium and magnesium, producing moderately hard supply

Other Maryland Water Reports

Milford Mill

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Owings Mills

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Pikesville

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Lochearn

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Randallstown's water safe to drink?

Yes. Randallstown'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 Randallstown?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Randallstown'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 Randallstown compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Randallstown (≈ 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 Randallstown 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.