Water hardness generally refers to the concentration of dissolved calcium and magnesium in water. These levels can be quite diverse throughout the United States, with different regions experiencing varying degrees of water hardness.
In Arizona, water hardness is typically higher, often categorized as ‘hard to very hard,’ when compared to many other parts of the country—owing largely to the state’s geology and the sources of its water supply. Arizona’s desert landscape and reliance on mineral-rich sources like the Colorado River contribute to the hardness of the water. As with any area, water hardness in Arizona can also vary from one city to another and can change over time due to factors such as water treatment processes and shifts in water sources. This high hardness level affects aspects like taste, and it can decrease the efficiency of soaps and detergents, leading to challenges in residential and industrial settings.
The water hardness levels in the state of Arizona show considerable variation across different cities, with measurements given in parts per million (ppm) and grains per gallon (gpg). Cities such as Gilbert and Tempe display moderate hardness levels at 196.4ppm, 11.5gpg, and 146.0ppm, 8.0gpg, respectively. In contrast, Avondale shows a significantly higher level at 357.3ppm and 20.9gpg. Meanwhile, cities like Chandler and Mesa possess higher concentrations of hardness, reaching 330.5ppm, 19.3gpg, and 226.0ppm, 13.2gpg, respectively. It is also notable that the lowest measurable water hardness level among the cities listed is found in Surprise, with a level of 90.7ppm and 5.3gpg. However, several cities, including Tucson, Buckeye, Yuma, and others did not have available data.
City | Hardness ppm (mg/L) | Hardness gpg | Information Source | Notes |
Phoenix | 232.5 | 13.6 | Link | |
Tucson | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Mesa | 226.0 | 13.2 | Link | |
Chandler | 330.5 | 19.3 | Link | |
Gilbert | 196.4 | 11.5 | Link | |
Glendale | 250.0 | 14.6 | Link | |
Scottsdale | 278.5 | 16.3 | Link | |
Peoria | 166.4 | 9.7 | Link | Grabbed 6 locations to get a range (in gpg) and took an average. |
Tempe | 146.0 | 8.0 | Link | |
Surprise | 90.7 | 5.3 | Link | Used Mountain Vista System, which supplies majority of the city. |
Goodyear | 308.1 | 18.0 | Link | |
Buckeye | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Yuma | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Avondale | 357.3 | 20.9 | Link | |
Flagstaff | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Queen Creek | 206.0 | 12.0 | Link | |
Maricopa | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Lake Havasu City | 320.1 | 18.7 | Link | |
Casa Grande | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Marana | 137.5 | 8.0 | Link | |
Prescott Valley | 130.0 | 7.6 | Link | |
Oro Valley | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Prescott | 102.5 | 6.0 | Link | |
Sierra Vista | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Bullhead City | n/a | n/a | Link | Checked Desert Foothills and Mohave Reports as those are biggest per EPA search. Neither report hardness. |
Apache Junction | n/a | n/a | Link | |
San Luis | n/a | n/a | Link | |
El Mirage | 119.8 | 7.0 | Link | |
Sahuarita | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Kingman | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Florence | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fountain Hills | 273.9 | 16.0 | Link | |
Nogales | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Payson | 146.0 | 8.5 | Link | |
Douglas | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Eloy | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Coolidge | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Somerton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Chino Valley | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Paradise Valley | 205.4 | 12.0 | Link | |
Cottonwood | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Camp Verde | 102.5 | 5.9 | Link | |
Show Low | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Safford | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Sedona | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Winslow | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Wickenburg | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Page | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Tolleson | 146.0 | 8.5 | Link | |
Globe | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Youngtown | 136.9 | 8.0 | Link | |
Litchfield Park | 204.0 | 11.9 | Link | |
Snowflake | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Benson | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Thatcher | n/a | n/a | Link | Covered under Safford per EPA lookup |
Guadalupe | 146.0 | 8.0 | Link | Covered under Tempe |
Cave Creek | 231.1 | 13.5 | Link | |
Bisbee | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Holbrook | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Clarkdale | n/a | n/a | Link | |
South Tucson | n/a | n/a | Link | Covered under Tucson |
Dewey-Humboldt | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Eagar | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Taylor | n/a | n/a | Link | Most recent is 2015 |
Pinetop-Lakeside | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Clifton | n/a | n/a | Link | Covered by Morenci Water Co |
Carefree | 278.5 | 16.3 | Link | Gets predominantly from Scottsdale |
St. Johns | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Parker | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Williams | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Willcox | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Pima | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Star Valley | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Colorado City | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Superior | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Wellton | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Quartzsite | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Gila Bend | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Kearny | n/a | n/a | Link | No CCR on website |
Springerville | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Huachuca City | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Miami | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Fredonia | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Tombstone | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Mammoth | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Patagonia | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Duncan | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Tusayan | n/a | n/a | Link | Link on their website leads to dead page |
Hayden | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Jerome | n/a | n/a | Link | |
Winkelman | n/a | n/a | Link |
ppm = Parts Per Million
mg/L = Milligrams Per Liter
gpg = Grains Per Gallon
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.