How does DeLand's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. DeLand (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

DeLand Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

8.5

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.007 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

766.1 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · 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 DeLand, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In DeLand	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.8 yrs	8.5 yrs	-20%
Washing Machine	9.6 yrs	12 yrs	-20%
Water Heater	12 yrs	15 yrs	-20%

Regional Water Comparison

How DeLand compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ DeLand, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	267.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Orange City, Florida	≈ 180+ mg/L	116.5 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Deltona, Florida	≈ 180+ mg/L	386.7 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
DeBary, Florida	≈ 180+ mg/L	10.6 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Sanford, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	22.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How DeLand compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ DeLand	≈ 120–179 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes DeLand's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 766.1 mg/LpH: 8.5

City of DeLand Utilities provides drinking water to DeLand, Florida, in Volusia County. The supply is sourced entirely from 19 deep wells tapping the Floridan Aquifer — no surface water sources are used. The system serves the city and surrounding areas with groundwater that meets federal and state standards. The utility can be reached at 386-626-7250 or 1101 S. Amelia Ave., DeLand, FL 32724.

DeLand's water originates from the Floridan Aquifer, recharged via rainfall across a broad area including the Upper Floridan aquifer zone. The geology features Eocene and Oligocene limestone formations, including the Ocala Limestone, which are highly soluble and impart minerals to the groundwater as it percolates through porous, fractured rock. This karst aquifer system — with sinkholes enhancing recharge and circulation — produces a hard supply through natural dissolution of carbonate-rich bedrock prevalent in central Florida.

Moderately hard water can lead to scale buildup on fixtures, dishes, and appliances such as water heaters, coffee makers, and dishwashers. Faucets may show spotting, and laundry can feel less soft. Maintenance tips include using vinegar soaks for faucets and coffee pots and adding vinegar as a dishwasher rinse agent. A water softener is often recommended to reduce scale and improve efficiency, especially for laundry and bathing. The City of DeLand reports strong overall compliance with EPA and state requirements; a single MCL exceedance for iron was noted, but water quality scores are otherwise high. Treatment from deep aquifer wells likely includes disinfection and basic chemical adjustment.

Geology & Source: Floridan Aquifer karst system; Eocene Ocala Limestone and Avon Park Formation — highly soluble calcium carbonate dissolves into groundwater through porous fractured rock; sinkholes enhance recharge; hard character typical of central Florida's

Other Florida Water Reports

Orange City

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Deltona

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

DeBary

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Sanford

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DeLand's water safe to drink?

Yes. DeLand's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in DeLand?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), DeLand'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 20%.

How does DeLand compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. DeLand (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for DeLand 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.