Takoma Park Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
174.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.27
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 Takoma Park, your appliances are currently losing 13% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Takoma Park | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -26% |
| Washing Machine | 9.9 yrs | 12 yrs | -17% |
| Water Heater | 11.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -23% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Takoma Park compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Takoma Park, Maryland | 101 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Chillum, Maryland | 155 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Silver Spring, Maryland | 162 mg/L | 8.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Kennedy Street, District of Columbia | 113 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | river |
| Brightwood, District of Columbia | 130 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | river |
National Benchmark
How Takoma Park compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Takoma Park | 101 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Takoma Park's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Takoma Park, Maryland, in Montgomery County — a Montgomery County city adjacent to Silver Spring and Hyattsville at the Maryland-Washington DC border, known as the "City of Peace" for its progressive politics — receives its municipal water from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), drawing from the Patuxent River at Rocky Gorge Reservoir or Triadelphia Reservoir (Montgomery-Howard Counties).
The moderately hard 101 mg/L hardness and TDS of 174.1 mg/L are consistent with the WSSC Patuxent supply (similar to Calverton MD: 97 mg/L — also WSSC Patuxent). The Patuxent watershed drains the Maryland Piedmont — Precambrian Laurel Formation (siliceous schist — insoluble), Triassic Culpeper Basin (calcareous redbeds — minor carbonate), and Pleistocene Coastal Plain terrace. The WSSC Patuxent supply is reliably moderately hard across all Montgomery County distribution zones.
At 101 mg/L, Takoma Park's water is moderately hard — light scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, and dishwashers benefit from rinse aid. Semi-annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 5.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Andrews Air Force Base (Prince George's County — AFFF in the Patuxent watershed), the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (PFAS in runoff), and the Maryland suburban Washington DC PFAS background contribute to Takoma Park's readings.
Geology & Source: Takoma Park in Montgomery County draws from Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission on the Patuxent River (Montgomery-Prince George's Counties) — the Patuxent drains the Maryland Piedmont (Precambrian Laurel Formation schist, Triassic Culpeper Basin calcareous) — Maryland Montgomery County Patuxent Piedmont watershed produces moderately hard water at 101 mg/L with TDS 174.1 mg/L in this Montgomery County Maryland city.