Horizon West Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
8.2 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.8
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.003 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
355.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.37
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 Horizon West, your appliances are currently losing 19% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Horizon West | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -41% |
| Washing Machine | 8.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -30% |
| Water Heater | 10 yrs | 15 yrs | -33% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Horizon West compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Horizon West, Florida | 140.5 mg/L | 7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Citrus Ridge, Florida | 77.5 mg/L | 5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Four Corners, Florida | 273.5 mg/L | 11.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Lake Butler, Florida | 307 mg/L | 12.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Winter Garden, Florida | 237.5 mg/L | 10 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Horizon West compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Horizon West | 140.5 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Horizon West's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Horizon West, Florida, in Orange County — an unincorporated Orange County community adjacent to Winter Garden and Windermere in the west Orlando metro — receives its water from Orange County Utilities, drawing from the Floridan Aquifer (Orange County) through the west Orlando metro distribution.
The moderately hard 140.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 355.1 mg/L reflect the central Florida Orange County Floridan Aquifer's moderate calcareous character — consistent with other Orange County west Orlando communities (Winter Garden: ~140 mg/L; Windermere: ~141 mg/L). The Floridan Aquifer at Orange County — Eocene Avon Park Formation (calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Oligocene Suwannee Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Eocene Ocala Limestone (calcareous).
At 140.5 mg/L, Horizon West's water is moderately hard — scale builds in kettles and appliances over months, dishwashers benefit from rinse aid, and faucet aerators need periodic cleaning. Quarterly descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 7.0 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — Naval Training Center Orlando (Orange County — former AFFF) and the Orlando metro Orange County industrial corridor contribute to Horizon West's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Horizon West in Orange County draws from the Orange County Utilities on the Floridan Aquifer (Orange County, central Florida) — the Floridan Aquifer at Orange County is developed in Eocene Avon Park Formation (calcareous) and Oligocene Suwannee Limestone (calcareous) — Florida Orange County Floridan Aquifer Eocene-Oligocene calcareous limestone produces moderately hard water at 140.5 mg/L with TDS 355.1 mg/L.