Sierra Vista Southeast Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
18.6 grains per gallon
Source
mixed
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
852.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.85
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 Sierra Vista Southeast, your appliances are currently losing 43% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Sierra Vista Southeast | 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 Sierra Vista Southeast compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sierra Vista Southeast, Arizona | 319 mg/L | 4.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Sierra Vista, Arizona | 401.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Douglas, Arizona | 327 mg/L | 4.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Nogales, Arizona | 404.5 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
| Rio Rico, Arizona | 362.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | mixed |
National Benchmark
How Sierra Vista Southeast compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sierra Vista Southeast | 319 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Sierra Vista Southeast's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Sierra Vista Southeast, Arizona, in Cochise County — an unincorporated Cochise County community adjacent to Sierra Vista and Hereford in the southeast Arizona Upper San Pedro Valley — receives its water from the Sierra Vista Water Division or local utilities, drawing from the Upper San Pedro Basin groundwater (Cochise County) through the southeast Arizona distribution.
The extremely hard 319 mg/L hardness and very high TDS of 852.4 mg/L reflect the southeast Arizona Upper San Pedro Basin closed-basin evaporitic groundwater character — the concentrated Basin-and-Range alluvial aquifer character. The Upper San Pedro Basin at Cochise County is developed in Quaternary San Pedro Valley alluvium (calcareous, derived from Basin-and-Range mountain ranges — primary hardness contributor), Permian Naco Group (calcareous limestone — bedrock calcareous dissolution contribution), and Cenozoic closed-basin evaporitic lacustrine sediments (gypsum and halite — dominant TDS contributor from the concentrated Cochise County basin floor).
At 319 mg/L with TDS 852, Sierra Vista Southeast's water is extremely hard. A water softener is essential, and a reverse osmosis system is strongly recommended for drinking water. Scale accumulates very rapidly on all surfaces and appliance lifespans are extremely shortened without treatment. The PFAS level of 4.4 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Fort Huachuca (Cochise County — AFFF, directly adjacent to the Sierra Vista water service area) contributes to readings.
Geology & Source: Sierra Vista Southeast in Cochise County draws from the Sierra Vista Water Division on the Upper San Pedro Basin groundwater (Cochise County, southeast Arizona) — the San Pedro Basin is developed in Quaternary alluvium and Cenozoic closed-basin evaporitic lacustrine sediments (Permian Naco Group calcareous) — Arizona Cochise County San Pedro Basin evaporitic alluvial aquifer produces extremely hard water at 319 mg/L with TDS 852.4 mg/L.