How does Fish Hawk's water compare to the national average?

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

Fish Hawk 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

0.006 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

747.8 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 Fish Hawk, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Fish Hawk	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 Fish Hawk compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Fish Hawk, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.3 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Bloomingdale, Florida	≈ 180+ mg/L	12 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Valrico, Florida	≈ 180+ mg/L	11.1 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Brandon, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Riverview, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Fish Hawk compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Fish Hawk	≈ 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 Fish Hawk's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 747.8 mg/LpH: 8.5

Fish Hawk's water supply comes primarily from groundwater drawn from the Floridan aquifer. Some supply may also be blended from the Alafia River watershed. Treatment takes place at regional facilities, potentially including the Alafia Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility, serving the community's roughly 26,000 residents. The local watershed is the Little Fishhawk Creek, a tributary that flows into the Alafia River.

This water originates from the Floridan aquifer, a significant geological formation composed of Tertiary-period limestone, notably the Ocala Limestone. As rainwater filters through these highly soluble rock layers, it dissolves carbonates, enriching the groundwater with minerals like calcium and magnesium. This geological process is directly responsible for the characteristically hard water found in this region.

Homeowners might notice scale buildup on faucets, showerheads, and inside appliances like water heaters and dishwashers, which can reduce their efficiency and lifespan. You may also experience less soap lathering and spotty dishes after washing. To combat these effects, regular cleaning of appliance aerators and heaters with acid-based cleaners or vinegar rinses is advised. Installing a water softener is highly recommended to protect your plumbing and extend the life of your appliances. Recent water quality data for Little Fishhawk Creek indicates a good Water Quality Index of 31.33 for January-March 2026.

Geology & Source: Floridan aquifer system; Ocala Limestone and Avon Park Formation limestone produce high hardness

Other Florida Water Reports

Bloomingdale

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Valrico

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Brandon

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Riverview

≈ 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 Fish Hawk's water safe to drink?

Yes. Fish Hawk'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 Fish Hawk?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Fish Hawk'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 Fish Hawk compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Fish Hawk (≈ 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 Fish Hawk 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.