How does Daphne's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Daphne (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L softer than average.

Daphne Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

soft

~0–59 mg/L

Soft

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

4.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.001 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

55.2 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.08

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

soft~0–59 mg/LSoft · est.

0–60

mg/L

Soft

61–120

mg/L

Moderately Hard

121–180

mg/L

Hard

180+

mg/L

Very Hard

Appliance Damage Report

In Daphne, your appliances are currently losing 4% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Daphne	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	8.2 yrs	8.5 yrs	-4%
Washing Machine	11.5 yrs	12 yrs	-4%
Water Heater	14.4 yrs	15 yrs	-4%

Regional Water Comparison

How Daphne compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Daphne, Alabama	≈ 0–59 mg/L	7.5 ppt	🟢 Soft	groundwater
Fairhope, Alabama	≈ 120–179 mg/L	38.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Mobile, Alabama	≈ 0–60 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Prichard, Alabama	≈ 0–60 mg/L	0 ppt	🟢 Soft	reservoir
Tillmans Corner, Alabama	≈ 120–179 mg/L	7.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Daphne compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Daphne	≈ 0–59 mg/L	🟢 None
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

Bring Scarsdale-quality water to your Daphne home

Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →

Shop Now

What Makes Daphne's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 55.2 mg/LpH: 4.3

Daphne Utilities Board of the City of Daphne serves the city of Daphne in Baldwin County, Alabama, providing drinking water to residential and commercial customers. The utility sources its supply exclusively from groundwater extracted via wells tapping into the Floridan Aquifer System. Treatment occurs at facilities employing aeration and disinfection processes, with chlorine and hypochlorite used as disinfectants.

Daphne's groundwater originates from the Floridan Aquifer, recharged through karst features and surface infiltration across the Gulf Coastal Plain. The aquifer features Paleogene limestone formations including the Ocala Limestone (Eocene) and Marianna Limestone, which are prone to dissolution and impart a mineralized quality to the water. Coastal proximity and freshwater-saltwater interface dynamics moderate this effect, yielding a softer supply than limestone-dominated systems further inland.

Soft water minimizes scale buildup, sparing appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers from significant limescale damage and extending their lifespan with minimal maintenance. Soap and detergent efficiency is high, reducing usage and residue on fixtures. No water softener is typically needed; routine filter cleaning suffices. The utility's 2024 Water Quality Report confirms compliance with federal regulations; however, EWG identifies 8 of 18 detected contaminants exceeding their stricter guidelines, and residents concerned about contaminant exposure should consult the latest Consumer Confidence Report and consider certified point-of-use filters.

Geology & Source: Floridan Aquifer System; Paleogene Ocala Limestone and Marianna Limestone (Eocene–Oligocene) — coastal confinement moderates dissolution, yielding softer water than inland karst areas

Other Alabama Water Reports

Fairhope

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Mobile

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Prichard

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Tillmans Corner

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Daphne's water safe to drink?

Yes. Daphne's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 0–59 mg/L (Soft), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Daphne?

Daphne's water is soft at ≈ 0–59 mg/L. A water softener is generally not necessary, though a carbon filter can improve taste and remove any remaining chlorine.

How does Daphne compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Daphne (≈ 0–59 mg/L) is 121 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Daphne is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

Water Hardness

Modelled estimate based on state-level USGS geological survey data for this region. No direct USGS Water Quality Portal measurement was matched to this city — the value reflects a statistical range calibrated to the state's dominant rock types and typical source water characteristics.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

TDS — Total Dissolved Solids

Estimated using a derived ratio from water hardness and regional conductance profiles. TDS in natural water correlates strongly with total mineral content including hardness ions.

Measured

PFAS — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

EPA UCMR5 (5th Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 2023–2025) — sum of PFAS compounds detected at the public water system serving this city. A value of 0 indicates the system was sampled with no detection above reporting limits.

Modelled

Lead

Modelled estimate based on the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap-sample methodology. No publicly available per-city lead dataset with sufficient national coverage exists. Values are a conservative baseline derived from city population tier and infrastructure age — all estimates are maintained below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Calculated

Appliance Lifespan

Calculated from water hardness using a linear degradation model. Baseline lifespans represent soft-water performance (kettle: 8.5 yrs, washing machine: 12.0 yrs, water heater: 15.0 yrs). Hard water mineral scale progressively reduces operational life in direct proportion to hardness concentration.