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

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Gulfport (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

Gulfport Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

reservoir

pH Level

8.3

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.005 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

617.3 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · 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 Gulfport, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Gulfport	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	4.7 yrs	8.5 yrs	-45%
Washing Machine	6.6 yrs	12 yrs	-45%
Water Heater	8.3 yrs	15 yrs	-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How Gulfport compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Gulfport, Florida	≈ 180+ mg/L	18 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir
St. Petersburg, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	12 ppt	🟠 Hard	reservoir
West and East Lealman, Florida	≈ 180+ mg/L	8.2 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Lealman, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Pinellas Park, Florida	207 mg/L	10.4 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	reservoir

National Benchmark

How Gulfport compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Gulfport	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 High
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

Bring Scarsdale-quality water to your Gulfport home

Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →

Shop Now

What Makes Gulfport's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: ReservoirTDS: 617.3 mg/LpH: 8.3

The Gulfport Water System provides water to the city of Gulfport, Florida, serving around 12,743 residents in Pinellas County. This utility purchases its water supply, with no specific treatment plant names publicly available. Its operations are overseen by the municipality, and residents can reach them at 727-388-9442 or 2611 49th St S, Gulfport, FL 33707. The water's journey begins in coastal Gulf of Mexico drainages, where surface waters are replenished through connections with the Floridan Aquifer.

The water's character is significantly shaped by the region's geology. Underlying the supply are Eocene-Oligocene limestone formations, such as the Ocala Limestone and Avon Park Formation. These highly permeable, karstic limestone layers readily dissolve, imparting minerals like calcium carbonate into the groundwater and surface water. This interaction with the soluble carbonate bedrock is the primary reason for the characteristically hard water found in this area.

This very hard water can lead to noticeable scale buildup in household appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and coffee makers, potentially reducing their efficiency and lifespan. You might also find laundry feels stiff, and soap doesn't lather as readily, sometimes leaving residue on skin and hair. To manage scale, try using vinegar for fixtures and rinse agents for dishwashers. Given the hardness, a water softener is highly recommended to lessen these effects and protect your plumbing. Gulfport's tap water has shown 13 contaminants above EPA health-based guidelines, including Heptachlor epoxide, Simazine, and Dichloromethane.

Geology & Source: Floridan Aquifer system - Eocene and Oligocene carbonate rocks; Ocala Limestone and Avon Park Formation limestone produce hard water

Other Florida Water Reports

St. Petersburg

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

West and East Lealman

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Lealman

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Pinellas Park

207 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Report an Issue

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 Gulfport's water safe to drink?

Yes. Gulfport's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Gulfport?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Gulfport'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 45%.

How does Gulfport compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Gulfport (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 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 Gulfport 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.