Clearwater Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
5.4 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
214.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.25
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 Clearwater, your appliances are currently losing 12% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Clearwater | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -24% |
| Washing Machine | 10.2 yrs | 12 yrs | -15% |
| Water Heater | 11.9 yrs | 15 yrs | -21% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Clearwater compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clearwater, Florida | 93 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Largo, Florida | 87.5 mg/L | 5.3 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Dunedin, Florida | 79.5 mg/L | 5.1 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Safety Harbor, Florida | 236 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Palm Harbor, Florida | 168.5 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Clearwater compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Clearwater | 93 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Clearwater's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Clearwater, Florida, on the Gulf Coast of Pinellas County, draws its municipal water supply from the Pinellas County Utilities regional system, which sources from a combination of Hillsborough River surface water treated at the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility in Hillsborough County (via the Tampa Bay Water regional authority) and groundwater from the Upper Floridan Aquifer wellfields at the Cross Bar Ranch and Section 21 wellfields in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties. Tampa Bay Water's regional blend serves the greater Tampa–Clearwater–St. Petersburg metro area. Water hardness measures 93 mg/L — classified as moderately soft, lower than many Florida Floridan Aquifer supplies.
Clearwater's moderately soft supply reflects the Tampa Bay Water regional blended system's character, which combines the Hillsborough River surface water with Floridan Aquifer groundwater from wellfields in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties. The Hillsborough River drains the Green Swamp of Central Florida — an area of Quaternary sand and clay deposits above the Floridan Aquifer with limited surface carbonate exposure — contributing soft surface water to the blend. The Tampa Bay Water blending system, designed partly to manage hardness and avoid aquifer overdraft, delivers a moderately soft finished supply throughout the Tampa–Clearwater–Pinellas area, notably softer than standalone Floridan Aquifer supply would be.
At 93 mg/L, Clearwater residents experience moderate scale accumulation. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits after several months — monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is sufficient maintenance. Dishwashers produce clean glassware with moderate rinse-aid use. Hot water systems accumulate minimal scale. Tampa Bay Water and Pinellas County Utilities consistently deliver water meeting all Florida DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Floridan Aquifer System (Upper Floridan) via Clearwater Gas System / Pinellas County Utilities regional wellfields — the Eocene Ocala Limestone and Avon Park Formation of the Floridan Platform in the northern Pinellas zone; Tampa Bay area wellfields show moderately soft conditions at 93 mg/L due to Floridan Aquifer partial blending with surficial sources.