City of Rockville Water water, explained
Rockville is unusual in Montgomery County because the city runs its own plant. The first step for a Rockville home is confirming whether the bill comes from the City or from WSSC.
Water utility
City of Rockville Water
- Hardness
- about 4 to 8 grains per gallon
- Moderately hard (approximate, confirm with latest report)
- Disinfectant
- Not yet confirmed
- We confirm before ordering media
- Source
- Potomac River, treated at the city-owned plant
Serves: Most of the City of Rockville; some neighborhoods are on WSSC Water.
Checked September 2026. Source: City of Rockville.
Hardness: about 4 to 8 grains per gallon
Rockville treats Potomac River water, so hardness is expected in the same moderate band as neighboring WSSC Potomac-plant water. Confirm with the city 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: Not yet confirmed
Disinfectant type not yet confirmed from the city report.
Seasonal changes: Check the city's annual report.
PFAS
Utilities that draw from the Potomac have reported low-level PFAS detections in routine monitoring. EPA finalized limits for PFOA and PFOS in 2024. An under-sink reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 is the practical fix at the tap you drink from.
Lead
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 City of Rockville water
Softener with carbon sized from the city report, plus under-sink reverse osmosis.
Figures checked September 2026 against City of Rockville. Utilities update reports annually; if you see a newer figure, tell us and we will update this page.
Areas on City of Rockville water
Pricing for City of Rockville 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