Howard County Bureau of Utilities water, explained
Howard County buys its water rather than treating it, and western Howard is largely on private wells. Columbia and Ellicott City homeowners mostly want better-tasting water and protection for newer appliances.
Water utility
Howard County Bureau of Utilities
- Hardness
- about 3 to 7 grains per gallon
- Slightly to moderately hard (approximate, confirm with latest report)
- Disinfectant
- Free chlorine
- Standard carbon works
- Source
- Treated water purchased from Baltimore City and from WSSC Water
Serves: Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Laurel (Howard side) and the eastern county.
Checked September 2026. Source: Howard County Bureau of Utilities.
Hardness: about 3 to 7 grains per gallon
Baltimore reservoir water tends to be softer than Potomac water, and WSSC-supplied areas run moderately hard. Confirm in the county report. Anything above 7 grains per gallon is classified as hard. In practice that means scale on fixtures and shower glass, spotted dishes and mineral buildup inside water heaters and tankless units.
Disinfectant: Free chlorine
Both suppliers are understood to use free chlorine. Confirmed before we order carbon media.
Seasonal changes: Check the county's annual report.
PFAS
Ask for the latest county PFAS monitoring results. Reverse osmosis at the kitchen tap addresses PFAS regardless of source.
Lead
Historic Ellicott City has some of the oldest housing in the region. Lead does not come from the treatment plant. It comes from older home plumbing: pre-1986 solder, older brass fixtures and, in some neighborhoods, lead service lines. A point-of-use filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead, or reverse osmosis, addresses it at the tap.
What we recommend on Howard County water
Softener with carbon where hardness justifies it, and under-sink reverse osmosis for drinking water.
Figures checked September 2026 against Howard County Bureau of Utilities. Utilities update reports annually; if you see a newer figure, tell us and we will update this page.
Areas on Howard County water
Pricing for Howard County homes
Prices include equipment, a licensed plumber's installation and startup for a standard install. If anything about your home changes the price, you hear it before we book the plumber, not after.
Whole-Home + Drinking Water
The complete package for a municipal-water home.
$2,499installed
- Metered whole-home softener
- Catalytic carbon for chloramine and chlorine
- Sediment pre-filter and bypass
- 5-stage under-sink reverse osmosis with faucet
- Licensed installation, startup and salt
Whole-Home Only
Soft, chlorine-free water at every tap and shower.
$1,899installed
- Metered whole-home softener
- Catalytic carbon media
- Sediment pre-filter and bypass
- Licensed installation, startup and salt
- Add reverse osmosis any time
Reverse Osmosis Only
Clean drinking water for condos and kitchens.
$799installed
- 5-stage NSF/ANSI 58 system
- Removes lead, PFAS and dissolved solids
- Dedicated lead-free faucet
- Optional fridge and ice line
- Licensed installation and first filters
Standard install covers
- Main water line, a drain and an outlet within reach in a basement, garage or utility room
- Kitchen sink with cabinet space for the reverse osmosis unit
- Copper or PEX supply lines in serviceable condition
- Permit where your jurisdiction requires one
Quoted before we book
- Long plumbing runs to reach the main line, or adding a drain or outlet
- Crawlspace or exterior installs, and galvanized pipe that needs replacing
- Private wells: lab test first, then a system designed to the results
- Fridge and ice maker line for the reverse osmosis unit