Callaway Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
10.7 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.1
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.005 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
501.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.49
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 Callaway, your appliances are currently losing 25% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Callaway | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 3.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -59% |
| Washing Machine | 6.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -43% |
| Water Heater | 8.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -45% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Callaway compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Callaway, Florida | 184 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Panama City, Florida | 183.5 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Lynn Haven, Florida | 235.5 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Upper Grand Lagoon, Florida | 268.5 mg/L | 11 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Panama City Beach, Florida | 183.5 mg/L | 8.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Callaway compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Callaway | 184 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Callaway's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Callaway, Florida, in Bay County — a Bay County city adjacent to Panama City and Lynn Haven in the northwest Florida Panhandle — receives its water from Bay County Utilities, drawing from the Floridan Aquifer (Bay County) through the northwest Florida Panhandle distribution.
The hard 184 mg/L hardness and TDS of 501.7 mg/L reflect the northwest Florida Panhandle Floridan Aquifer's hard calcareous character at the Bay County position — considerably harder than the west Escambia County supply (Warrington: 128 mg/L), reflecting the Bay County Floridan Aquifer's deeper, more concentrated calcareous limestone dissolution. The Floridan Aquifer at Bay County is developed in Eocene Avon Park Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Oligocene Suwannee Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Eocene Ocala Limestone (calcareous). The deep Bay County Floridan Aquifer calcareous limestone produces the hard northwest panhandle supply.
At 184 mg/L, Callaway's water is hard — scale builds steadily in kettles and appliances, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and water heaters should be descaled annually. Monthly descaling is recommended. The PFAS level of 8.3 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis drinking water filter — Tyndall Air Force Base (Bay County — AFFF, directly adjacent to Callaway) contributes significantly to Callaway's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Callaway in Bay County draws from the Bay County Utilities on the Floridan Aquifer (Bay County, northwest Florida Panhandle) — the Floridan Aquifer at Bay County is developed in Eocene Avon Park Formation (calcareous) and Oligocene Suwannee Limestone (calcareous) — Florida Bay County Floridan Aquifer Eocene-Oligocene calcareous limestone produces hard water at 184 mg/L with TDS 501.7 mg/L.