Riviera Beach Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
9.3 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
367.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.43
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 Riviera Beach, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Riviera Beach | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -49% |
| Washing Machine | 7.7 yrs | 12 yrs | -36% |
| Water Heater | 9.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -39% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Riviera Beach compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Riviera Beach, Maryland | 160 mg/L | 8.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Green Haven, Maryland | 166.5 mg/L | 9.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Lake Shore, Maryland | 84 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Pasadena, Maryland | 189 mg/L | 10.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Dundalk, Maryland | 146 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Riviera Beach compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Riviera Beach | 160 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Riviera Beach home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Riviera Beach's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Riviera Beach, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County — an Anne Arundel County community adjacent to Glen Burnie and Pasadena in north Maryland — receives its water from the Anne Arundel County Water, drawing from the Patapsco River or Loch Raven Reservoir (Anne Arundel County) through the north Maryland distribution.
The hard 160 mg/L hardness and TDS of 367.9 mg/L reflect the north Maryland Anne Arundel County supply's hard calcareous character — harder than Canton MD (105/185) on the same Baltimore City Loch Raven supply, because Riviera Beach draws through the Anne Arundel County coastal plain distribution where Cretaceous calcareous formations add additional hardness. The Patapsco-Gunpowder watershed at Anne Arundel County — Cambrian Cockeysville Marble (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Cretaceous Patuxent Formation (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Quaternary Coastal Plain alluvium (calcareous — TDS contributor).
At 160 mg/L with TDS 368, Riviera Beach'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 8.7 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Anne Arundel County north Maryland military and industrial corridor contribute to Riviera Beach's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Riviera Beach in Anne Arundel County draws from the Anne Arundel County Water on Patapsco River or Loch Raven Reservoir (Anne Arundel County, north Maryland) — the Patapsco-Gunpowder watershed drains the Maryland Piedmont (Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss — insoluble) and Cambrian Cockeysville Marble (slightly calcareous) — Maryland Anne Arundel County Patapsco Precambrian-Cambrian supply produces hard water at 160 mg/L with TDS 367.9 mg/L.