Lealman Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
234 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
energy & soap waste
Source: See methodology section below · 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 Lealman, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lealman | 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 Lealman compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lealman, Florida | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 5.7 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| West and East Lealman, Florida | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Pinellas Park, Florida | 207 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
| St. Petersburg, Florida | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 12 ppt | 🟠 Hard | reservoir |
| Gulfport, Florida | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 18 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | reservoir |
National Benchmark
How Lealman compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lealman | ≈ 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 Lealman's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lealman, an unincorporated community in Pinellas County, Florida, receives its drinking water from Pinellas County Utilities (PCU). PCU serves over 800,000 residents across Pinellas County, including Lealman, through multiple groundwater treatment plants such as the Cosme-Odessa Plant and the South Pasco Plant. The primary source is the Floridan Aquifer, with water treated via lime softening, filtration, disinfection, and advanced processes including membrane softening at select facilities. The service area encompasses urban and suburban zones around St. Petersburg and Clearwater.
The water originates from the Floridan Aquifer within the broader Tampa Bay watershed, recharged by rainfall infiltrating sandy soils overlying the aquifer. Key geological features include thick sequences of Paleogene limestone formations — the Suwannee Limestone and Avon Park Formation — which form the Upper Floridan Aquifer. These carbonate rocks naturally impart a hard character to groundwater through dissolution of calcium carbonate during subsurface flow. Karst features such as sinkholes and conduits accelerate mineral dissolution, producing mineral-rich water chemistry without dilution from surface runoff.
Moderately hard to hard water in Lealman causes scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, and dishwashers, reduced soap lathering, soap scum in sinks and laundry, and spots on glassware. Hot water heaters, washing machines, and coffee makers are most affected, with mineral deposits reducing efficiency and lifespan. Regular vinegar descaling, rinse aids in dishwashers, and drain screens are recommended; a water softener is recommended for hard-water households to extend appliance life. Pinellas County Utilities' 2021 Consumer Confidence Report confirms EPA compliance for pH (7.5–8.5), lead and copper below action levels, and no PFAS above limits; treatment includes lime softening, multimedia filtration, chloramination, and fluoride addition.
Geology & Source: Floridan Aquifer — Eocene to Oligocene karst limestone; Avon Park Formation and Ocala Limestone rich in calcium carbonate; high porosity and fracturing enhance mineral dissolution — groundwater yields characteristically hard supply
Other Florida Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lealman's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Lealman?
How does Lealman compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Lealman is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.
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.
pH
Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.
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.
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.
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.
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.