Pace Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
180+ mg/L
Very Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.9
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.004 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
406.8 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.91
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 Pace, your appliances are currently losing 45% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Pace | 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 Pace compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pace, Florida | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 44.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Ferry Pass, Florida | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 9 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| Gonzalez, Florida | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 7.1 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Ensley, Florida | ≈ 0–60 mg/L | 7.4 ppt | 🟢 Soft | groundwater |
| East Milton, Florida | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 5.9 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Pace compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pace | ≈ 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 Pace's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Pace Water System, Inc. is the public utility serving over 12,000 residents in Pace, Santa Rosa County, Florida, located in the Pensacola metropolitan area. The system sources all its water from groundwater wells tapping the Floridan Aquifer. Treatment occurs at facilities managed from the main office at 4401 Woodbine Road, Pace, FL 32571, with 24/7 emergency contact available at 850-994-5129. The utility publishes annual Consumer Confidence Reports detailing compliance and testing, with the 2023 report accessible via their website at pacewater.org.
The supply originates within the groundwater recharge area of the Floridan Aquifer, influenced by the regional watershed dynamics of northwest Florida's coastal plain. The aquifer consists primarily of Eocene to Oligocene-age limestone formations, including the Ocala Limestone and Avon Park Formation, rich in calcium carbonate. Karst features like sinkholes and conduits enhance mineral dissolution through natural percolation of rainwater, contributing high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium; surface influences are minimal due to the confined nature of the aquifer in this area.
Very hard water causes moderate to significant scale buildup in water heaters, dishwashers, coffee makers, and faucets, reducing efficiency and lifespan. Laundry may feel stiff and soap lathering is less effective, often requiring more detergent. Regular vinegar descaling of removable parts, installing scale-inhibiting showerheads, and periodic cleaning of heating elements are recommended. A water softener is strongly advised to prevent scaling and improve appliance longevity. The system earns an 'A' excellent water quality grade with no EPA health violations noted in recent reports; some third-party analyses flag chromium-6 above health guidelines though within legal limits, and full annual testing details are available in the CCR at pacewater.org.
Geology & Source: Floridan Aquifer System, Santa Rosa County — Eocene–Oligocene Ocala Limestone and Avon Park Formation; karstic carbonate limestone dissolves calcium and magnesium through sinkholes and conduits, producing hard supply
Other Florida Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Pace compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Pace 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.