Does Orlando Have Hard Water? This is a common question for homeowners who are concerned about the quality and safety of their drinking water.
Orlando water has a hardness of 129 ppm which is considered hard. The hardness is caused by the presence of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium in the water.
In this article, we will explore the question of just how hard tap water is in Orlando, Florida, and discuss how you can soften your water, plus a whole lot more.
Read my article about water hardness in other cities.
Table of Contents
Does Orlando Have Hard Water?
Orlando water has a hardness of 129 milligrams per liter (mg/L), which is the same as parts per million (ppm). Converting to grains per gallon (gpg), Orlando’s water hardness is 8 gpg.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), hard water that is between 120 and 180 ppm is considered hard. Therefore, Orlando’s water is considered hard.
| City | Average Hardness Calcium Carbonate (mg/L) | Average Hardness (grains per gallon) | Zip Code |
| 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 Naples Have Hard Water?
Does Washington DC have hard water?
Florida Water Hardness
Florida gets its drinking water from both surface and groundwater sources. The water hardness in Florida varies depending on the location. In some areas, the water is naturally hard due to the presence of minerals in the soil, while in others, it may be soft. The water hardness can also vary depending on the source of the water, whether it is from a river, lake, aquifer, or reservoir.
What is Hard Water?
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron. The USGS rates water hardness as follows: less than 60 ppm is considered soft, 61-120 ppm is moderately hard, 121-180 ppm is hard, and over 180 ppm is very hard. The level of hardness can have various effects on the water quality and can cause problems like scaling and soap scum buildup.
What are the Problems Caused by Hard Water?
Hard water can cause problems like scaling in pipes and fixtures, soap scum buildup on surfaces, and reduced efficiency of appliances like water heaters and washing machines. It can also make it difficult to get a good lather when washing, leading to the use of more soap and detergent.
Who is Orlando’s Water Provider?
The City of Orlando Utilities Department is the water provider for Orlando. They serve over 250,000 customers in the city and surrounding areas.
Where Does Orlando Water Come From?
Orlando’s water comes from the Floridan Aquifer System, which is a large underground aquifer that spans across the southeastern United States. The Floridan Aquifer System is a vast, underground layer of permeable limestone and sand that spans across multiple states, including Florida.
The limestone matrix is one of the reasons Orlando’s tap water is hard.
Is Orlando’s Tap Water Treated?
Yes, Orlando’s tap water is treated to ensure its safety.
Orlando’s tap water is sourced from the Floridan Aquifer via well pumps and undergoes several treatment processes before it is distributed to customers. These treatment processes can be summarized as follows:
- Aeration: Sulfide is removed from the water by aerating the groundwater.
- Disinfection: Chlorine is added to disinfect the water and kill any harmful bacteria or viruses.
- Fluoridation: Fluoride is added to promote dental health.
- Storage and Distribution: The treated water is then pumped into a finished water tank, where it is stored until it is ready to be distributed to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
Quality of Orlando Tap Water
Overall, Orlando’s tap water is of good quality and meets federal and state drinking water standards. However, there have been some issues with contamination in the past, including the presence of lead in some older homes. The city is actively working to address these issues and ensure the safety of its drinking water.
How Much Water Does Orlando Use Each Year?
Orlando uses an average of 35 million gallons of water per day, which is equivalent to about 12.8 billion gallons per year.
Florida Water Use and Consumption in Statistics
Florida is one of the largest water users in the United States, with an average annual water use of about 14 billion gallons per day. This includes both groundwater and surface water sources, and the majority of the water is used for irrigation and power generation.
What Can I do About Hardness in My Water?
Fortunately, there are several ways to deal with hard water in your home. One of the most common methods is through the use of a water softener. Water softeners remove the minerals that cause hardness and replace them with sodium or potassium ions. This can be an effective solution, but it can also be costly and requires ongoing maintenance.
Another option is to install a reverse osmosis system. Reverse osmosis filters water through a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities, including minerals that cause hardness. These systems can be effective, but they also require regular filter replacements and can be expensive to install.
Conclusion
Drinking water quality is a concern for homeowners across the country, and Orlando is no exception. While the water in Orlando is considered hard, it is generally safe for consumption.
Understanding the quality and source of your water can help you make informed decisions about your health and your home. Whether you choose to install a water treatment system or simply adjust your habits, taking steps to improve your water quality can have a positive impact on your life.