Woodlawn Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
7.5 grains per gallon
Source
reservoir
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
257.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.34
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 Woodlawn, your appliances are currently losing 17% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Woodlawn | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -38% |
| Washing Machine | 8.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -27% |
| Water Heater | 10.4 yrs | 15 yrs | -31% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Woodlawn compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Woodlawn, Maryland | 129 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Lochearn, Maryland | 119.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
| Gwynn Oak, Maryland | 182.5 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Milford Mill, Maryland | 190 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| Catonsville, Maryland | 119.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Woodlawn compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Woodlawn | 129 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Woodlawn's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Woodlawn, Maryland, an unincorporated community in northwest Baltimore County — a major Baltimore County suburban community adjacent to Catonsville and Baltimore City's western boundary, home of the Social Security Administration headquarters (the Woodlawn complex is the national headquarters of the SSA — one of the largest federal agency campuses in the country), a diverse Baltimore County community, and a northwest Baltimore metro suburban community in the I-695 corridor — draws its municipal water supply via the Baltimore City DPW. Water hardness in Woodlawn measures 129 mg/L — classified as moderately hard.
Woodlawn's moderate hardness reflects the Baltimore area Piedmont watershed and Baltimore DPW distribution. The Liberty and Prettyboy Reservoir watersheds drain the Maryland Piedmont (Precambrian Baltimore Gneiss — calcareous-moderate amphibolite-bearing gneiss) and the Cambrian Cockeysville Marble (significant calcareous marble formation of Baltimore County). Baltimore DPW treats and distributes to the northwest Baltimore County Woodlawn zone (modern to mid-20th century infrastructure), producing the moderate 129 mg/L — softer than some older Baltimore City distribution areas due to newer Woodlawn infrastructure.
At 129 mg/L, Woodlawn residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is recommended. Baltimore City DPW consistently delivers water meeting all Maryland MDE and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: River supply from the Patapsco River (Liberty and Prettyboy Reservoirs) via the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) — the Baltimore County northwest Maryland Baltimore metro Woodlawn corridor (Precambrian calcareous-moderate Piedmont gneiss and Cambrian Cockeysville Marble — the calcareous Maryland Piedmont; Baltimore DPW north distribution zone); moderately hard supply at 129 mg/L in Baltimore County.