How does Tanque Verde's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Tanque Verde (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

Tanque Verde Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

mixed

pH Level

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

1186.4 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · 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 Tanque Verde, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Tanque Verde	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 Tanque Verde compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Tanque Verde, Arizona	≈ 180+ mg/L	5.4 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	mixed
Catalina Foothills, Arizona	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.8 ppt	🟠 Hard	mixed
Tucson, Arizona	≈ 180+ mg/L	4 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Vail, Arizona	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Casas Adobes, Arizona	≈ 180+ mg/L	5.6 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	mixed

National Benchmark

How Tanque Verde compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Tanque Verde	≈ 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 Tanque Verde's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: MixedTDS: 1186.4 mg/LpH: 7

Tanque Verde, an unincorporated community in Pima County, Arizona, receives water from the City of Tucson Water Department, which serves the broader metropolitan area. The utility draws from local groundwater wells tapping the Tucson Active Management Area aquifer and imported surface water via the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal. Key facilities include the Sweetwater and Mohave wellfields, with blending at distribution points. Service extends to ZIP codes like 85749 through Tucson's distribution network, with Pima County overseeing related wastewater services.

The supply originates in the Upper Santa Cruz River watershed and Tucson Basin, within the Basin and Range Province. Fault-bounded valleys hold thick Quaternary alluvium and Tertiary sediments eroded from the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains, composed of Precambrian granite, Paleozoic limestone, and Mesozoic volcanics. CAP contributions traverse the Colorado River Basin, including the Grand Canyon supergroup and Kaibab Limestone. The prevalence of carbonate rocks like limestone and dolomite dissolves elevated calcium and magnesium into the supply, producing a characteristically hard character intensified by Arizona's arid climate limiting dilution.

Very hard water causes significant scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency and lifespan while increasing energy costs. Faucet aerators and showerheads clog quickly, demanding frequent cleaning or replacement. Maintenance includes installing scale-inhibiting filters, periodic vinegar descaling, and choosing scale-resistant appliances; a water softener is strongly recommended for households to prevent mineral deposits and extend plumbing longevity. Tucson water maintains pH around 7.5–8.2, compliant with EPA standards, meeting lead and copper rules under LCR monitoring with no exceedances; treatment includes chlorination, fluoridation, and blending CAP water — reverse osmosis-treated at times — with groundwater for optimal quality.

Geology & Source: Tucson Basin aquifer — Quaternary alluvium over Tertiary basin-fill sediments rich in limestone and dolomite; CAP Colorado River water traverses Mesozoic-Paleozoic limestone and evaporite formations; carbonate dissolution produces hard supply

Other Arizona Water Reports

Catalina Foothills

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Tucson

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Vail

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Casas Adobes

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tanque Verde's water safe to drink?

Yes. Tanque Verde's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Tanque Verde?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Tanque Verde'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 45%.

How does Tanque Verde compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Tanque Verde (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Tanque Verde 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.