How does Mount Dora's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Mount Dora (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L harder than average.

Mount Dora Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

very hard

180+ mg/L

Very Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

8.1

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.004 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

484.1 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.91

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

very hard180+ mg/LVery Hard · est.

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 Mount Dora, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Mount Dora	Soft Water City	Efficiency Loss
Kettle	4.7 yrs	8.5 yrs	-45%
Washing Machine	6.6 yrs	12 yrs	-45%
Water Heater	8.3 yrs	15 yrs	-45%

Regional Water Comparison

How Mount Dora compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Mount Dora, Florida	≈ 180+ mg/L	23.9 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Eustis, Florida	≈ 180+ mg/L	98.9 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater
Tavares, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	0 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Apopka, Florida	140 mg/L	28.6 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Leesburg, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	15.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Mount Dora compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Mount Dora	≈ 180+ mg/L	🔴 High
USA National Avg	151 mg/L	🟠 Moderate
Scarsdale Top Rated	0.02 mg/L	🟢 None

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What Makes Mount Dora's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 484.1 mg/LpH: 8.1

The City of Mount Dora Water Department supplies about 30,560 residents in Mount Dora, Lake County, Florida. Their water comes solely from groundwater drawn from the Floridan Aquifer System. This water then undergoes treatment at the city's municipal plant before reaching homes and businesses. For inquiries or to access the 2024 Annual Water Quality Report, residents can contact the utility at 352-735-7105 or custserv@cityofmountdora.com. Mount Dora sits within the Lake Dora watershed, a part of the larger Ocklawaha River Basin in Central Florida.

The Floridan Aquifer System, a massive karst aquifer, is the source of Mount Dora's water. It's primarily composed of Paleogene and Neogene limestone and dolomite formations, specifically the Avon Park Formation and Ocala Limestone. These soluble carbonate rocks readily dissolve over time, releasing calcium and magnesium ions. This natural leaching process from the region's limestone-rich geology is what gives the water its characteristically hard quality, marked by significant dissolved mineral content. Karst features common in the area also aid groundwater recharge from local bodies like Lake Dora.

Homeowners in Mount Dora often notice scale buildup on fixtures and inside appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines. This mineral accumulation can reduce efficiency and shorten the lifespan of these devices. You might also experience less lather from soaps and detergents. To combat these issues, routine maintenance such as deliming appliances is advised, alongside installing drain screens. Many residents find that installing a whole-house water softener is the most effective solution for preventing scale, enhancing cleaning performance, and protecting household equipment.

Geology & Source: Floridan Aquifer System; limestone and dolomite formations release calcium and magnesium, creating hard water.

Other Florida Water Reports

Eustis

≈ 180+ mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Tavares

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Apopka

140 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Leesburg

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

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Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mount Dora's water safe to drink?

Yes. Mount Dora's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Mount Dora?

At ≈ 180+ mg/L (Very Hard), Mount Dora's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 45%.

How does Mount Dora compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Mount Dora (≈ 180+ mg/L) is 189 mg/L above the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Mount Dora is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.