Rossville Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.6 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
8.2
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
455.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.48
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 Rossville, your appliances are currently losing 24% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Rossville | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -58% |
| Washing Machine | 6.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Rossville compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Rossville, Maryland | 181.5 mg/L | 9.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Essex, Maryland | 177.5 mg/L | 9.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Rosedale, Maryland | 179.5 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Middle River, Maryland | 186 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Frankford, Maryland | 87.5 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Rossville compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Rossville | 181.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Rossville's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Rossville, Maryland, in Baltimore County — an unincorporated Baltimore County community adjacent to Rosedale and White Marsh in east Baltimore County — receives its water from the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, drawing from Loch Raven Reservoir (Gunpowder Falls, Baltimore County) through the Baltimore metro distribution.
The hard 181.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 455.5 mg/L reflect the north Maryland Loch Raven Reservoir supply's moderately hard Piedmont character — harder than the DC Potomac supply (East Riverdale WSSC: 153 mg/L). Loch Raven Reservoir (Gunpowder Falls) drains the Maryland Piedmont — Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss (slightly calcareous — minor hardness contributor), Cambrian Cockeysville Marble (calcareous — primary hardness contributor at Baltimore Piedmont), and Cambrian Setters Quartzite (insoluble). The Cambrian Cockeysville Marble calcareous dissolution produces the hard Baltimore County supply.
At 181.5 mg/L, Rossville's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 9.9 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Aberdeen Proving Ground (Harford County — AFFF, the dominant north Maryland PFAS source directly on the Gunpowder watershed), and the northeast Maryland military-industrial corridor contribute to Rossville's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Rossville in Baltimore County draws from the Baltimore City Department of Public Works on the Gunpowder Falls and Loch Raven Reservoir (Baltimore County, north Maryland) — Loch Raven impounds Gunpowder Falls draining the Piedmont (Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss, Cambrian Cockeysville Marble — calcareous) — Maryland Baltimore County Loch Raven Piedmont calcareous watershed produces hard water at 181.5 mg/L with TDS 455.5 mg/L.