Rosedale Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
446.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Rosedale, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Rosedale | 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 Rosedale compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Rosedale, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Frankford, Maryland | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟢 Soft | reservoir |
| Rossville, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Essex, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 9.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Overlea, Maryland | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Rosedale compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Rosedale | ≈ 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 Rosedale's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
WSSC Water (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission) serves Rosedale in Baltimore County, Maryland, via interconnections extending service from Montgomery and Prince George's counties to Baltimore suburbs. Primary sources include the Potomac River (surface water) and Patuxent River reservoirs such as Brighton Dam and T. Howard Duckett Dam. Treatment occurs at major plants including the Patuxent Water Filtration Plant and Potomac Water Filtration Plant, with distribution monitored at over 150 locations. The utility conducts extensive testing using coagulation with alum, sedimentation, dual-media filtration, disinfection, and fluoride adjustment to meet EPA standards.
The supply originates in the Patuxent and Potomac River watersheds, spanning sedimentary rock formations of the Coastal Plain province. These include Cretaceous and Tertiary marine deposits — limestone, shell marls, and calcareous sands with calcite, aragonite, and magnesium calcite — that impart minerals to both surface and groundwater components. The Patuxent Aquifer and similar Coastal Plain aquifers dissolve carbonates into blended supplies, shaping a moderately mineralised profile rich in ancient marine sediments with notable dissolved solids from natural leaching.
At moderately hard levels, users may notice spotting on glassware, slight soap scum in bathrooms, and early scale on faucets or showerheads. Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines are most affected, with reduced efficiency from mineral buildup over time. Regular vinegar rinses for fixtures, annual appliance deliming, and hard-water detergent help mitigate issues. A water softener is recommended for households experiencing these effects. WSSC Water maintains pH between 7.2–8.5 for corrosion control; lead and copper rule fully compliant; chloramination used for distribution stability; no PFAS exceedances reported in recent CCRs.
Geology & Source: Coastal Plain aquifers, Maryland; Cretaceous-Tertiary marine deposits — calcite, aragonite, shell marls, calcareous sands; Patuxent Aquifer and Potomac watershed limestone influence — carbonate dissolution yields moderately mineralised supply
Other Maryland Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rosedale's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Rosedale?
How does Rosedale compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Rosedale is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.