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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Goulds (155.5 mg/L) is 5 mg/L harder than average.

Goulds Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

155.5mg/L

Hard

9.1 grains per gallon

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.004 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

316 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.41

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

155.5mg/L as CaCO₃Hard

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 Goulds, your appliances are currently losing 21% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Goulds	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	6.7 yrs	8.5 yrs	-21%
Washing Machine	9.5 yrs	12 yrs	-21%
Water Heater	11.9 yrs	15 yrs	-21%

Regional Water Comparison

How Goulds compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Goulds, Florida	155.5 mg/L	7.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
South Miami Heights, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	10.4 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Princeton, Florida	≈ 180+ mg/L	5.4 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Cutler Ridge, Florida	≈ 180+ mg/L	9.5 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Cutler Bay, Florida	≈ 180+ mg/L	7.5 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Goulds compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Goulds	155.5 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Goulds's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 316 mg/LpH: 7.3

Goulds, Florida, receives its water from the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department. The supply originates from the Biscayne Aquifer, a vital groundwater source for the county. This utility manages numerous treatment and distribution facilities, providing service to more than 400,000 residents. Goulds is situated within the Biscayne Aquifer watershed, a geological formation dating back to the Pleistocene epoch.

This aquifer is composed of limestone, specifically oolitic and fossiliferous varieties, and sits atop the more extensive Floridan aquifer system. The porous limestone geology readily dissolves minerals like calcium and magnesium from the bedrock. This natural process results in a mineralized groundwater, characteristic of South Florida's karst landscape, which contributes to the moderate hardness of the water supplied to Miami-Dade County.

Homeowners in Goulds might notice scale forming on faucets and showerheads, and soap may not lather as effectively. Dishes and glassware can sometimes show spotting after washing. For those seeking to mitigate these effects, especially in appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, a water softener is often suggested. Minor scale deposits on fixtures or within coffee makers can typically be removed with a simple vinegar solution.

Geology & Source: Biscayne Aquifer; Pleistocene limestone and oolitic limestone; dissolved calcium and magnesium create moderate hardness

Other Florida Water Reports

South Miami Heights

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Princeton

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Cutler Ridge

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Cutler Bay

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very 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 Goulds's water safe to drink?

Yes. Goulds's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is 155.5 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 Goulds?

At 155.5 mg/L (Hard), Goulds'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 21%.

How does Goulds compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Goulds (155.5 mg/L) is 5 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 Goulds 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.