Lehigh Acres Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
6.3 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.6
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.002 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
256.7 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.29
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 Lehigh Acres, your appliances are currently losing 14% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Lehigh Acres | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -29% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 11.3 yrs | 15 yrs | -25% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Lehigh Acres compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lehigh Acres, Florida | 108 mg/L | 6 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Fort Myers, Florida | 304.5 mg/L | 12.1 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| San Carlos Park, Florida | 75.5 mg/L | 4.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| North Fort Myers, Florida | 292.5 mg/L | 11.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Estero, Florida | 161 mg/L | 7.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Lehigh Acres compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Lehigh Acres | 108 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Lehigh Acres's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Lehigh Acres, Florida, a large unincorporated community in Lee County east of Fort Myers, draws its municipal water supply through Lee County Utilities (for the served areas; much of Lehigh Acres historically used private wells) tapping the Surficial Aquifer System and the shallower Intermediate Aquifer System (Hawthorn Group) beneath the Lee County interior plain. The area is known for its grid-pattern planned community development from the 1950s-70s. Water hardness measures 108 mg/L — classified as moderately hard, lower than typical Floridan aquifer readings.
Lehigh Acres' moderate hardness — far lower than typical Florida Floridan aquifer readings (250–400 mg/L) — reflects the dominant use of the shallower Surficial Aquifer System and Hawthorn Group Intermediate Aquifer in this zone, rather than the deep Floridan. The Pliocene Caloosahatchee Formation (calcareous shell marl and limestone) and Peace River Formation (dolomite and phosphatic clay) of the Lee County intermediate zone are less purely carbonate than the deep Eocene Avon Park–Ocala Floridan formations, and water chemistry in these shallower zones reflects a mix of carbonate dissolution and dilution from shallower fresh recharge from the Lee County interior upland area.
With hardness at 108 mg/L, Lehigh Acres residents encounter moderate scale accumulation. Faucet aerators and showerheads develop deposits after several months — monthly cleaning with citric acid solution is practical maintenance. Dishwashers produce clean glassware with moderate rinse-aid. Lee County Utilities consistently delivers water meeting all Florida DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Surficial Aquifer System and Intermediate Aquifer System via the Lee County Utilities in the Lehigh Acres zone — the Pliocene Caloosahatchee Formation calcareous marl and shell limestone and Pliocene–Pleistocene Peace River Formation in the Lee County interior; moderately hard supply at 108 mg/L — lower than typical Floridan aquifer, reflecting the shallower surficial aquifer dominance in Lehigh Acres.