West Elkridge Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.9 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
130.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.22
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 West Elkridge, your appliances are currently losing 11% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In West Elkridge | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 10.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -13% |
| Water Heater | 12.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -19% |
Regional Water Comparison
How West Elkridge compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ West Elkridge, Maryland | 84 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Elkridge, Maryland | 169 mg/L | 9.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Hanover, Maryland | 193 mg/L | 10.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Arbutus, Maryland | 87 mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Ilchester, Maryland | 143 mg/L | 7.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How West Elkridge compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ West Elkridge | 84 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes West Elkridge's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
West Elkridge, Maryland, in Howard County — a major north Howard County Baltimore suburban community (West Elkridge is a significant Howard County unincorporated community — a north Howard County suburban community adjacent to Elkridge on the Patapsco River; the Elkridge–West Elkridge corridor is one of the historic Baltimore County and Howard County gateway communities, situated along the Old Relay Road and the historic B&O Railroad corridor; Elkridge Landing was one of the most important colonial tobacco export ports in Maryland (before the Patapsco River silted up following European agricultural settlement)), a diverse Howard County community with a primarily working-class and middle-class suburban population, adjacent to Jessup and Elkridge in the north Howard County corridor, home of a significant north Howard County commercial and industrial corridor along Route 1, and a community shaped by its position between Baltimore and the I-95/I-295 interchange — draws its municipal water supply via the Baltimore City DPW. Water hardness in West Elkridge measures 84 mg/L — classified as moderately soft.
West Elkridge's moderate softness reflects the north Howard County BCDPW distribution zone's calcareous-poor Piedmont supply with effective treatment. The BCDPW distributes Patapsco watershed supply (Precambrian Maryland Piedmont gneiss — calcareous-poor) to the north Howard County West Elkridge zone, producing the moderately soft 84 mg/L.
With hardness at 84 mg/L, West Elkridge residents enjoy moderately soft water. Baltimore City DPW consistently delivers water meeting all Maryland MDE and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Reservoir supply from the Liberty and Loch Raven Reservoirs (Patapsco watershed) via the Baltimore City DPW — the Howard County north Howard County Baltimore suburban West Elkridge corridor (Precambrian calcareous-poor Maryland Piedmont gneiss — the calcareous-poor north Howard County BCDPW Patapsco watershed supply; effective treatment); moderately soft supply at 84 mg/L in Howard County.