Towson Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.8 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
274.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.36
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 Towson, your appliances are currently losing 18% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Towson | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.2 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -39% |
| Washing Machine | 8.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -28% |
| Water Heater | 10.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -32% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Towson compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Towson, Maryland | 134 mg/L | 7.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland | 132.5 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Parkville, Maryland | 186.5 mg/L | 10.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Carney, Maryland | 109.5 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Cockeysville, Maryland | 179 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Towson compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Towson | 134 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Towson's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Towson, Maryland, the Baltimore County seat north of Baltimore — the commercial and governmental hub of Baltimore County, home of Towson University, Greater Towson (Towson Town Center), and a major Baltimore north suburban community — receives its municipal water supply from Loch Raven Reservoir (Gunpowder Falls) via the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW), distributed to Towson by Baltimore County. Water hardness in Towson measures 134 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Towson's moderate hardness — similar to Baltimore City (136 mg/L) on the same Loch Raven source — reflects the Gunpowder Falls watershed's northern Baltimore County Piedmont geology. The Gunpowder Falls above Loch Raven Reservoir drains: the Maryland Piedmont crystalline belt — the Wissahickon Formation (Proterozoic calcareous phyllite and mica schist — some calcareous horizons); the Setters Formation (calcareous quartzite and marble lenses — minor calcareous marble contributions); and the Cockeysville Marble (crystalline Proterozoic calcareous marble in the Setters Formation — soluble white marble subcropping in the Green Spring Valley area). The Maryland Piedmont calcareous marble and schist terrain contributes moderate dissolved calcium, producing the moderate 134 mg/L at Towson.
At 134 mg/L, Towson residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits after several months — monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is practical maintenance. Baltimore City DPW and Baltimore County consistently deliver water meeting all Maryland MDE and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Gunpowder Falls (Loch Raven Reservoir) via the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) distributed to Baltimore County and the Towson area — the Maryland Piedmont Gunpowder Falls watershed draining the Wissahickon Formation and Setters Formation calcareous schist of northern Baltimore County; moderately hard supply at 134 mg/L in Baltimore County.