Is Hagerstown, MD Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Hagerstown tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 110 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Hagerstown Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Hagerstown Compares
Hagerstown's water is close to the national average of 138 PPM, ranking #547 out of 1000 cities tracked. Within Maryland, Hagerstown has the hardest water out of 15 cities - 64% above the state average of 67 PPM. Among cities (50k-100k), Hagerstown ranks #165 of 258 for hardness.
What Hagerstown's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 110 PPM - Low Concern
Hagerstown's water is firmly in the moderate range at 110 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Hagerstown's water has TTHMs at 27.5 ppb and HAA5 at 12.7 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Hagerstown's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 27.5 ppb (34% of the legal limit, but 183x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 12.7 ppb (21% of the legal limit, but 127x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.0791 ppb, which is 4x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 110 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 152 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 0.8 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.7 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 1.1 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for Hagerstown Homes
How to Test Your Water in Hagerstown
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request City of Hagerstown Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About Hagerstown's Water Supply
Water Utility: City of Hagerstown Water
Water Source: Antietam Creek & wells (Surface Water)
Population Served: 92,200
Hardness: 110 PPM (6.4 grains per gallon)
Hagerstown's drinking water comes from surface sources — Antietam Creek & wells. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 92,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Hagerstown Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Hagerstown Water in Hagerstown, MD, including ZIP codes:
15533, 15536, 16633, 16650, 16672, 16674, 16679, 16689, 16691, 16694, 17201, 17202, 17210, 17212, 17214, 17215, 17220, 17221, 17222, 17223, 17224, 17225, 17228, 17229, 17231, 17232, 17233, 17235, 17236, 17237, 17238, 17239, 17244, 17246, 17247, 17250, 17251, 17252, 17254, 17255, 17256, 17257, 17261, 17262, 17263, 17264, 17265, 17267, 17268, 17271, 17272, 21711, 21713, 21715, 21719, 21720, 21721, 21722, 21733, 21734, 21740, 21741, 21742, 21746, 21747, 21749, 21750, 21756, 21767, 21773, 21779, 21780, 21781, 21782, 21783, 21795, 22601, 22603, 22604, 22622, 22624, 22656, 25401, 25402, 25403, 25404, 25405, 25410, 25411, 25413, 25414, 25419, 25420, 25421, 25423, 25425, 25427, 25428, 25430, 25432, 25438, 25440, 25441, 25442, 25443, 25446
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Hagerstown to Other Maryland Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Hagerstown Water
Is Hagerstown tap water safe to drink?
Where does Hagerstown's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Hagerstown?
What is the hardness of Hagerstown water in grains per gallon?
What are disinfection byproducts in Hagerstown's water?
Is chromium-6 in Hagerstown's water?
Can I drink Hagerstown tap water straight from the faucet?
How does Hagerstown compare to the Maryland average?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.