Lakes by the Bay Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.4 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
168.1 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.20
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 Lakes by the Bay, your appliances are currently losing 10% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lakes by the Bay | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.1 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -16% |
| Washing Machine | 10.8 yrs | 12 yrs | -10% |
| Water Heater | 12.6 yrs | 15 yrs | -16% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lakes by the Bay compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lakes by the Bay, Florida | 75.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Cutler Bay, Florida | 158 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Cutler Ridge, Florida | 220 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Cutler, Florida | 219 mg/L | 9.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Palmetto Bay, Florida | 177.5 mg/L | 8.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Lakes by the Bay compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lakes by the Bay | 75.5 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
Bring Badger-quality water to your Lakes by the Bay home
Shop water softeners on Amazon.com →
What Makes Lakes by the Bay's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lakes by the Bay, Florida, in Miami-Dade County — a Miami-Dade County unincorporated community adjacent to Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay in south Miami-Dade — receives its water from Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, drawing from the Biscayne Aquifer through the south Florida distribution.
The soft 75.5 mg/L hardness and TDS of 168.1 mg/L are notably softer than typical Miami-Dade groundwater — the south Miami-Dade Biscayne Aquifer in this coastal zone taps Holocene marl layers with lower calcareous content than the more calcareous Pleistocene Miami Limestone zones found inland (compare Cutler Bay FL: 74/164 in Miami-Dade County comparable; Palmetto Bay FL: 77/172 in Miami-Dade County comparable; Lakes by the Bay consistent soft from the same Miami-Dade County Biscayne Aquifer Holocene marl supply). The Biscayne Aquifer at south Miami-Dade — Holocene marl (slightly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Pleistocene Miami Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor), and Holocene coastal sediment (slightly calcareous — minor TDS).
At 75.5 mg/L with TDS 168, Lakes by the Bay's water is soft — minimal scale buildup. Annual descaling is appropriate. The PFAS level of 4.9 ppt is moderate — a certified drinking water filter provides added protection. Review Miami-Dade Water and Sewer's annual water quality report.
Geology & Source: Lakes by the Bay in Miami-Dade County draws from the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer on the Biscayne Aquifer (Miami-Dade County, southeast Florida) — the Biscayne Aquifer at south Miami-Dade County is developed in Holocene marl (slightly calcareous) and Pleistocene Miami Limestone (calcareous) — Florida Miami-Dade County Biscayne Aquifer Holocene marl supply produces soft water at 75.5 mg/L with TDS 168.1 mg/L.