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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Dothan (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Dothan Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.004 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

124 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · 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 Dothan, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Dothan	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How Dothan compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	Risk	Source
▶ Dothan, Alabama	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Ozark, Alabama	≈ 0–60 mg/L	🟢 Soft	groundwater
Enterprise, Alabama	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Eufaula, Alabama	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Troy, Alabama	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Dothan compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Dothan	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Dothan's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 124 mg/LpH: 7.3

The Dothan Utilities Water System serves the City of Dothan and surrounding areas in Houston County, Alabama. It draws exclusively from 31 groundwater wells with a capacity of 32 million gallons per day, averaging 12.8 million gallons daily. Water is pumped from wells located throughout the city and vicinity, treated, and distributed without reliance on surface sources; approximately 4.7 billion gallons were processed in 2024.

The supply originates from Gulf Coastal Plain aquifers tapping Eocene and Paleocene formations: Lisbon, Tallahatta, Hatchetigbee, Tuscahoma Sand, Nanafalia, Salt Mountain Limestone, Clayton, and Providence Sand. These limestone and sand layers dissolve minerals into the water, producing a hard supply rich in calcium and magnesium. Potential contamination sources include nearby agricultural fields and private wells, as noted in the Source Water Assessment Plan available at the Dothan Utilities Complex.

Hard water in Dothan leads to scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and faucets, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Soap lathering is reduced and skin dryness may occur. Regular descaling, vinegar rinses, and scale inhibitors help; a water softener is recommended to prevent these issues and extend appliance life. The 2024 Annual Water Quality Report confirms compliance for regulated contaminants — Total Dissolved Solids range 77–338 ppm (average 210 ppm), calcium 9.8–51.4 mg/L (average 31.5), and fluoride is low at 0.0041–0.033 ppm. Groundwater treatment includes disinfection and corrosion control; primary risks stem from agricultural sources.

Geology & Source: Gulf Coastal Plain Eocene/Paleocene strata — Salt Mountain Limestone, Clayton, Lisbon, Tallahatta, and associated sand formations; limestone layers dissolve calcium and magnesium, producing hard groundwater

Other Alabama Water Reports

Ozark

≈ 0–60 mg/L

🟢 Soft

Enterprise

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Eufaula

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Troy

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very 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 Dothan's water safe to drink?

Yes. Dothan's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Dothan?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Dothan's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Dothan compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Dothan (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 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 Dothan 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.