Drexel Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
180+ mg/L
Very Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
mixed
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
931.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.91
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Drexel Heights, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Drexel Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 4.7 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -45% |
| Washing Machine | 6.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -45% |
| Water Heater | 8.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Drexel Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Drexel Heights, Arizona | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 4.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Tucson Estates, Arizona | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Tucson, Arizona | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Flowing Wells, Arizona | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 3.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Casas Adobes, Arizona | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 5.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Drexel Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Drexel Heights | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Drexel Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Drexel Heights, an unincorporated community in Pima County, Arizona, receives water from the Pima County Municipal Supply, managed by the Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department and coordinated with the City of Tucson Water Department. The supply is primarily groundwater extracted from local wells tapping the Tucson Basin aquifer system. No specific treatment plants are named for Drexel Heights; water is drawn from regional groundwater sources serving Pima County communities west of Tucson, including the Drexel Heights CDP.
The local watershed is the Upper Santa Cruz River Basin within the Sonoran Desert ecoregion. Groundwater originates in the Tucson Basin aquifer, recharged by ephemeral streams and mountain-front runoff infiltrating alluvial fans. Key rock formations include Quaternary basin-fill alluvium overlying Tertiary volcanics and faulted bedrock from the Tucson Mountains (Precambrian to Paleozoic metamorphics and limestones). Abundant carbonate rocks and caliche soils naturally mineralize the groundwater to a very hard character through dissolution of calcium and magnesium from limestone and dolomite.
Very hard water in Drexel Heights causes significant scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers, clogging valves and heating elements and increasing energy costs by up to 50%. Install drain valves on water heaters for annual flushing, use scale inhibitors, clean aerators monthly, and descale appliances regularly. A water softener is strongly recommended to prevent damage and extend equipment life. Pima County groundwater typically has pH 7.0–8.0 and complies with EPA standards; treatment involves chlorination and fluoridation.
Geology & Source: Tucson Basin aquifer — Basin and Range Province; Upper Santa Cruz Basin aquifer; Quaternary alluvium over Tertiary volcanics and Paleozoic limestones; carbonate rocks and caliche produce very hard groundwater
Other Arizona Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Drexel Heights's water safe to drink?
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How does Drexel Heights compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Drexel Heights is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.