Catalina Foothills Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
25.4 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.008 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
1346.9 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$1.00
energy & soap waste
Source: USGS Water Quality Portal · Updated 2026
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 Catalina Foothills, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Catalina Foothills | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3 yrs | 12 yrs | -75% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Catalina Foothills compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Catalina Foothills, Arizona | 434 mg/L | 5.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Tucson, Arizona | 255.5 mg/L | 3.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Casas Adobes, Arizona | 418.5 mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Flowing Wells, Arizona | 236.5 mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Oro Valley, Arizona | 199.5 mg/L | 3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Catalina Foothills compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Catalina Foothills | 434 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Catalina Foothills's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Catalina Foothills, Arizona, in Pima County north of Tucson on the bajada of the Santa Catalina Mountains — an affluent Pima County foothill community with sweeping views of Tucson and the Sonoran Desert, known for luxury homes, the Ventana Canyon and Westin La Paloma resorts, and proximity to Sabino Canyon National Recreation Area — draws its municipal water supply from the Tucson Basin Alluvial Aquifer and Central Arizona Project (CAP) Colorado River imports via Tucson Water and the Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District (MDWID). Water hardness in Catalina Foothills measures 434 mg/L — classified as extremely hard.
Catalina Foothills' extraordinarily hard supply reflects the Sonoran Desert alluvial fan environment of the Santa Catalina Mountains bajada. The Tucson Basin alluvial aquifer at Catalina Foothills (the Rillito River–Pantano Wash alluvial fan at the Santa Catalina Mountains front) contains: Quaternary calcareous Santa Catalina Mountains bajada alluvium (calcareous caliche-hardpan alluvial fan deposits — the classic Sonoran Desert caliche accumulates extraordinary dissolved calcium through centuries of evaporative concentration); CAP Colorado Aqueduct imports (extremely hard, approximately 300–350 mg/L); and deep alluvial basin water of very long residence time in the caliche-rich Sonoran Desert sediments. The extreme Sonoran Desert caliche concentration produces the extraordinary 434 mg/L.
At 434 mg/L, Catalina Foothills residents face very severe hard water challenges. Scale deposits form extremely rapidly on all fixtures and appliances — weekly descaling and immediate appliance protection are strongly recommended. Tucson Water and MDWID consistently deliver water meeting all Arizona ADEQ and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Tucson Basin Alluvial Aquifer and Central Arizona Project (CAP) Colorado River import via the Tucson Water and Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District (MDWID) — the Pima County Catalina Foothills Santa Catalina Mountains bajada calcareous alluvial fan (Santa Catalina Mountains granite and CAP import); extremely hard supply at 434 mg/L — reflecting the Sonoran Desert highly calcareous alluvial fan terrain.