Marco Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15.7 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
839.4 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.72
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 Marco, your appliances are currently losing 36% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Marco | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 3.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -70% |
| Water Heater | 5 yrs | 15 yrs | -67% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Marco compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Marco, Florida | 269 mg/L | 11 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Marco Island, Florida | 269.5 mg/L | 11 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| East Naples, Florida | 106.5 mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Naples, Florida | 229 mg/L | 9.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Golden Gate, Florida | 138 mg/L | 6.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Marco compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Marco | 269 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Marco's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Marco (Marco Island), Florida, in Collier County — a Collier County barrier island city adjacent to Naples and Goodland on the southwest Florida coast — receives its water from Marco Island Utilities, drawing from the Floridan Aquifer (Collier County) through the southwest Florida water treatment system.
The very hard 269 mg/L hardness and very high TDS of 839.4 mg/L (significantly elevated TDS relative to hardness — reflecting coastal saline intrusion mixing with the Floridan Aquifer at this barrier island position) are among the hardest in the Florida dataset. The Floridan Aquifer at Collier County is developed in Eocene Avon Park Formation (highly concentrated calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Oligocene Suwannee Limestone (calcareous), and Miocene Hawthorn Group (phosphatic, slightly calcareous), with significant coastal saline intrusion (Na-Cl dominated — dominant TDS contributor at this coastal position).
At 269 mg/L with TDS 839, Marco's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended, and a reverse osmosis system for drinking water is advisable given the very high TDS from coastal saline influence. Scale builds very rapidly and appliance lifespans are significantly shortened. The PFAS level of 11.0 ppt warrants a certified reverse osmosis filter — Eglin Air Force Base (Okaloosa County — AFFF), Naples Airport (Collier County — AFFF), and the southwest Florida coastal PFAS background contribute to Marco's elevated readings.
Geology & Source: Marco in Collier County draws from the Marco Island Utilities on the Floridan Aquifer (Collier County, southwest Florida) — the Floridan Aquifer at Collier County is developed in highly concentrated Eocene Avon Park Formation calcareous limestone and Oligocene Suwannee Limestone with coastal saline influence — Florida Collier County Floridan Aquifer Eocene calcareous limestone produces very hard water at 269 mg/L with TDS 839.4 mg/L.