Eldersburg, Maryland’s
Home for Water Softeners,
Water Filters, and Water Delivery

Yes. Eldersburg’s drinking water is supplied by the Freedom District Water Treatment Plant, which draws primarily from Liberty Reservoir and met all federal and Maryland drinking water standards. However, the report detected contaminants including nitrate, fluoride, chlorine, lead, copper, TTHMs, HAA5s, and trace PFAS compounds through UCMR5 monitoring. Many homeowners choose additional filtration to reduce contaminants they prefer not to consume every day

Eldersburg receives drinking water from the Freedom District Water Treatment Plant, which draws raw water from Liberty Reservoir. The water is treated through clarification, membrane ultrafiltration, chlorination, fluoridation, pH adjustment, and corrosion control before entering the distribution system. A backup groundwater source, the Fairhaven well system, is also part of the water supply network.

Yes. Like all surface water systems, Liberty Reservoir can be influenced by stormwater runoff, agricultural activity, naturally occurring minerals, wildlife, septic systems, and other environmental factors. The Maryland Department of the Environment has completed a source water assessment for the system.

No. The Freedom District Water Treatment Plant met all primary drinking water standards. The report did not list any contaminant violations, and all regulated contaminants remained below their applicable limits.

Yes. The most recent UCMR5 testing detected PFPeA at 3.3 ppt. Other PFAS compounds including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFBS, PFBA, and 6:2 FTS were either non-detect or below reporting thresholds. PFOA and PFOS were both reported at less than 4 ppt. Many homeowners who want additional PFAS reduction choose reverse osmosis drinking water systems.

Yes. The Freedom District system reported nitrate at 1.5 ppm, which is well below the federal drinking water standard of 10 ppm. Nitrate commonly enters water supplies through fertilizer runoff and natural deposits. Although the reported level met all standards, some homeowners choose additional drinking water filtration for added peace of mind.

The primary Freedom District treatment plant did not report arsenic detections in their most recent report. However, the Fairhaven backup groundwater system’s most recent testing detected arsenic at 1.1 ppb, which is below the federal drinking water standard of 10 ppb. Arsenic can occur naturally in groundwater due to erosion of natural deposits.

Yes. Eldersburg’s water is fluoridated as part of the treatment process, and the Freedom District system reported fluoride levels up to 0.79 ppm in their most recent report. Fluoride is commonly added to help support dental health. Some homeowners prefer additional control over fluoride levels and choose reverse osmosis systems at the kitchen sink.

Yes. Eldersburg reported total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) at 74 ppb and haloacetic acids (HAA5s) at 48 ppb. Both were below federal drinking water standards but are common byproducts that form when disinfectants react with naturally occurring organic matter in source water. Activated carbon filtration can help reduce these compounds along with chlorine taste and odor.

Chlorine is added during treatment to disinfect the water and protect against harmful bacteria and other microorganisms throughout the distribution system. The Freedom District system reported an annual average chlorine residual of 1.21 ppm. While chlorine is important for public health protection, some homeowners prefer filtration to reduce chlorine taste and odor.

The Freedom District Water Quality Report does not provide a hardness measurement. Because Eldersburg’s primary source is Liberty Reservoir surface water, hardness levels are often lower than many groundwater systems, but a water test is the best way to determine the hardness level in your home. If hard water minerals are present, a water softener can help reduce spotting, scale buildup, and other common hard water issues.

Lead was detected at less than 2.0 ppb at the 90th percentile during the most recent testing period, which is well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb. No homes exceeded the lead action level. Lead typically enters drinking water through household plumbing materials rather than the water source itself. Because plumbing conditions vary from home to home, some residents choose certified drinking water filtration for additional protection.

Copper was reported at 180 ppb (0.18 ppm) at the 90th percentile, below the EPA action level of 1.3 ppm. Copper commonly enters drinking water through household plumbing and fixtures. While the reported levels met drinking water standards, testing can help determine whether plumbing-related metals are present in a specific home’s water supply.

You can access the most recent Eldersburg Water Quality Report through the local water provider. Culligan Mid-Atlantic can also test your home’s tap water and help explain what may be coming from local groundwater sources, surface water influence, water treatment conditions, and your household plumbing.