Water Hardness in Florida Cities

Water hardness in Florida varies across the state, with a range from moderately hard to very hard in certain locations. Much of Florida’s water hardness originates from the limestone geology prevalent throughout the state, which contains ample amounts of calcium and magnesium that dissolve into the groundwater.

While some parts of Florida, such as regions in the north, may have moderately hard water, other areas are known for their significantly harder water. For example, water drawn from the Floridan aquifer can be characterized as hard to very hard due to the high mineral content of the aquifer’s composition. However, the water hardness can fluctuate from city to city within Florida and is also subject to change over time as a result of alterations in water treatment practices and the adoption of different water sources.

The presence of hard water in Florida can have various implications, such as impacting the taste of the water and reducing the efficiency of soaps and detergents. Residents and industries in areas with hard water might face particular challenges, including scale buildup in plumbing systems and appliances, which necessitates additional maintenance and can increase costs.

The water hardness levels in the state of Florida also show considerable variation across different cities, with measurements given in parts per million (ppm) and grains per gallon (gpg). Jacksonville, for example, has a relatively high hardness level at 259.7ppm, 15.3gpg. On the other hand, Cape Coral shows moderately hard water with a level of 102.7ppm, 6.0gpg. Tampa and St. Petersburg have hardness levels of 186.0ppm, 10.9gpg, and 166.0ppm, 9.7gpg, respectively. However, many cities such as Miami, Orlando, Hialeah, and Fort Lauderdale, among others, did not have available data on water hardness. The lowest water hardness level provided in the table is for Ocoee, at 94.1ppm and 5.5gpg.

Hard water can cause issues such as mineral buildup in plumbing and appliances, reduce the efficacy of soaps and detergents, and affect the taste of the water. A tried and true solution is the use of a water softener. A water softener, like the ones from DROP, could be a worthwhile investment.

These devices work by replacing the calcium and magnesium ions that cause hardness with sodium ions, resulting in softer water. With innovative features, easy installation, and efficient operation, DROP smart water softeners provide a solution to hard water issues, extending the lifespan of appliances, improving water taste, enhancing soap effectiveness, reducing scale build-up, and increasing the overall water efficiency in your home.