If you are a homeowner in Naples, Florida, you might be wondering – Does Naples Have Hard Water? Water quality is important for our health and wellbeing, so it’s essential to understand what’s in our tap water.
Naples has moderately hard water, with a hardness level of 65 ppm. The USGC rates water with a hardness between 60 and 120 ppm as moderately hard. The hardness in Naples tap water is likely due to the limestone rock that the water passes through as it travels from the aquifers.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the hardness of Naples’s tap water. We’ll also explore the treatment methods used to improve water quality, and what you can do if you’re concerned about the hardness of your tap water.
Read my article about water hardness in other cities.
Table of Contents
Does Naples Have Hard Water
Naples’s water has a hardness level of 65 mg/L, which is equivalent to 65 parts per million (ppm). This level of hardness is considered moderately hard, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). When measured in grains per gallon (gpg), Naples’s water hardness is 3.8 gpg. The USGS defines hard water as having a hardness level between 60 and 120 ppm, which means Naples’s water is considered moderately hard.
| City | Average Hardness Calcium Carbonate (mg/L) | Average Hardness (grains per gallon) | Zip Code |
| Naples | 66 ppm | 3.8 gpg | 34101 | 34102 | 34103 | 34104 | 34105 | 34112 |
| Orlando | 129 ppm | 8 gpg | 32801 | 32803 | 32804 | 32805 | 32806 | 32807 | 32808 | 32809 | 32810 | 32811 | 32812 | 32814 | 32817 | 32818 | 32819 | 32820 | 32821 | 32822 | 32824 | 32825 | 32826 | 32827 | 32828 | 32829 | 32830 | 32831 | 32832 | 32833 | 32835 | 32836 | 32837 | 32839 |
| Boca Raton | 189 ppm | 11 gpg | 33428 | 33431 | 33432 | 33433 | 33434 | 33486 | 33487 | 33496 | 33498 |
| Cape Coral | 85 ppm | 5 gpg | 33904 | 33909 | 33914 | 33990 | 33991 | 33993 |
| Clearwater | 178 ppm | 10 gpg | 33755 | 33756 | 33759 | 33760 | 33761 | 33762 | 33763 | 33764 | 33765 |
| Coral Springs | 298 ppm | 17 gpg | 33065 | 33071 |
| Fort Lauderdale | 157 ppm | 9 gpg | 33309 | 33311 | 33312 | 33313 | 33314 | 33315 | 33316 | 33317 | 33319 | 33321 | 33322 | 33323 | 33324 | 33325 | 33326 | 33327 | 33328 | 33330 | 33331 | 33332 | 33334 | 33351 |
| Gainesville | 140 ppm | 8 gpg | 32601 | 32603 | 32605 | 32606 | 32607 | 32608 | 32609 | 32612 | 32641 | 32653 |
| Greater Miami Area | 219 ppm | 12 gpg | 33101 | 33122 | 33125 | 33126 | 33127 | 33128 | 33129 | 33130 | 33131 | 33132 | 33133 | 33134 | 33135 | 33136 | 33137 | 33138 | 33142 | 33143 | 33144 | 33145 | 33146 | 33147 | 33150 | 33155 | 33156 | 33157 | 33158 | 33161 | 33162 | 33165 | 33166 | 33167 | 33168 | 33169 | 33170 | 33172 | 33173 | 33174 | 33175 | 33176 | 33177 | 33178 | 33179 | 33180 | 33181 | 33182 | 33183 | 33184 | 33185 | 33186 | 33187 | 33189 | 33190 | 33193 | 33194 | 33196 | 33109 | 33139 | 33140 | 33141 | 33154 | 33187 | 33189 | 33190 | 33193 | 33194 | 33196 | 33109 | 33139 | 33140 | 33141 | 33154 |
| Hialeah | 290 ppm | 17 gpg | 33010 | 33012 | 33013 | 33014 | 33015 | 33016 | 33018 |
| Jacksonville | 154 ppm | 9 gpg | 32202 | 32204 | 32205 | 32206 | 32207 | 32208 | 32209 | 32210 | 32211 | 32212 | 32216 | 32217 | 32218 | 32219 | 32220 | 32221 | 32222 | 32223 | 32224 | 32225 | 32226 | 32227 | 32228 | 32234 | 32244 | 32246 | 32254 | 32256 | 32257 | 32258 | 32277 |
| Lakeland | 180 ppm | 11 gpg | 33801 | 33803 | 33805 | 33809 | 33810 | 33811 | 33812 | 33813 | 33815 |
| Palm Bay | 103 ppm | 6 gpg | 32905 | 32907 | 32908 | 32909 |
| Pembroke Pines | 276 ppm | 16 gpg | 33028 |
| Port St. Lucy | 197 ppm | 12 gpg | 34952 | 34953 | 34983 | 34984 | 34986 | 34987 |
| St. Petersburg | 161 ppm | 9 gpg | 33701 | 33702 | 33703 | 33704 | 33705 | 33706 | 33707 | 33708 | 33709 | 33710 | 33711 | 33712 | 33713 | 33714 | 33715 | 33716 |
| Tallahassee | 126 ppm | 7 gpg | 32301 | 32303 | 32304 | 32305 | 32308 | 32309 | 32310 | 32311 | 32312 | 32317 | 32399 |
| Tampa Metro Area | 220 ppm | 13 gpg | 33602 | 33603 | 33604 | 33605 | 33606 | 33607 | 33609 | 33610 | 33611 | 33612 | 33613 | 33614 | 33615 | 33616 | 33617 | 33618 | 33619 | 33620 | 33621 | 33624 | 33625 | 33626 | 33629 | 33634 | 33637 | 33647 | 32833 | 32835 | 32836 | 32837 | 32839 | 33635 |
| West Palm Beach | 317 ppm | 19 gpg | 33401 | 33403 | 33404 | 33405 | 33406 | 33407 | 33409 | 33411 | 33412 | 33413 | 33415 | 33417 |
Learn about water hardness in these cities:
Does Orlando Have Hard Water?
Does Sacramento have hard water?
Florida Water Hardness
Florida’s drinking water comes from various sources, including surface water, such as rivers and lakes, and groundwater, such as aquifers. The water hardness levels in Florida can vary depending on the source. Some areas of Florida have soft water, while others have hard water. Unfortunately, we do not have information about the variations of water hardness within the state of Florida.
What is Hard Water?
Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. These minerals are picked up as water travels through rocks and soil, resulting in the water’s hardness. Hardness is measured in ppm or mg/L, and the USGS classifies water hardness into the following categories:
- Soft: less than 60 ppm
- Moderately hard: 60-120 ppm
- Hard: 120-180 ppm
- Very hard: over 180 ppm
What are the Problems Caused by Hard Water?
Hard water can cause several problems, such as scaling, clogging, and reduced water flow. It can also make cleaning and laundry more difficult by reducing soap’s effectiveness and leaving behind mineral stains. Additionally, hard water can cause damage to plumbing and appliances, shortening their lifespan and increasing maintenance costs.
Who is Naples’s Water Provider?
Naples’s water is provided by the City of Naples Utilities Department, which serves over 12,000 households and 1,600 businesses in the Naples area.
Where Does Naples Water Come From?
Naples’s drinking water comes from underground aquifers, specifically the Lower Tamiami Aquifer and the Upper Floridan Aquifer. These aquifers are recharged by rainwater and surface water, such as the Caloosahatchee River. The water utility draws water from a network of 51 wells.
Is Naples’s Tap Water Treated?
Yes, Naples’s tap water is treated. The City of Naples treats its water using a lime softening process, chlorination for disinfection purposes, filtration to remove suspended solids, and fluoridatton for dental health purposes.
- Coagulation and flocculation: adding chemicals to the water to clump together and remove sediment and particles.
- Filtration: passing the water through a filter to remove any remaining particles and impurities.
- Disinfection: adding chlorine to the water to kill any remaining bacteria and viruses.
- Fluoridation: fluoride is added to the tap water to prevent cavities.
Quality of Naples tap water
Naples’ tap water is generally of good quality, but there have been some issues with contaminants in the past. These include lead and disinfection byproducts like trihalomethanes.
How much water does Naples use each year?
Naples uses approximately 5.092 billion gallons of water each year. This includes residential, commercial, and agricultural customers.
Florida water use and consumption in statistics
Florida is one of the most populous states in the US and with its subtropical climate, it is known to have a high demand for water. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida’s total water use was approximately 14.3 billion gallons per day in 2020. This water is used for various purposes such as public supply, agriculture, industrial, and commercial use.
In terms of the largest category of water use, public supply accounts for approximately 50% of total water withdrawals in Florida. This is followed by agricultural use at approximately 40%, while the remaining 10% is used for industrial and commercial purposes.
In 2020, Florida relied on groundwater for approximately 44% of its total water withdrawals, while surface water accounted for 38% and seawater accounted for 18%.
What Can I Do About Hard Water in Naples Florida?
If you’re experiencing hard water in your home, there are several ways to address the issue. One of the most effective solutions is to install a water softener, which removes the minerals responsible for water hardness. Water softeners work by using ion exchange to replace calcium and magnesium ions with sodium or potassium ions, effectively reducing the hardness of the water.
Another option is to use a descaler or water conditioner, which doesn’t remove the minerals but changes their structure so that they are less likely to stick to surfaces and form scale. While these methods are less effective than water softeners, they can still provide some relief from the effects of hard water.
In addition to these options, there are several other ways to reduce the impact of hard water in your home. One simple solution is to use a vinegar or citric acid solution to clean surfaces affected by hard water stains. Another option is to use a showerhead filter, which can remove some of the minerals responsible for hard water and prevent them from building up on your skin and hair.
Conclusion
The quality of your drinking water is an important factor to consider for your health and the health of your family. While Naples water has a hardness of 65 ppm, which is considered moderately hard, it’s important to note that hard water is not harmful to your health but can have a negative impact on your plumbing and appliances over time.
You can take steps to ensure that you have access to high-quality drinking water that is free of hardness. Whether it’s installing a water softener or using a showerhead filter, there are solutions to suit a range of needs and budgets.