Pine Hills Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
15.2 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.007 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
802.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.69
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 Pine Hills, your appliances are currently losing 35% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Pine Hills | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4 yrs | 12 yrs | -67% |
| Water Heater | 5.2 yrs | 15 yrs | -65% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Pine Hills compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pine Hills, Florida | 260.5 mg/L | 10.8 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Lockhart, Florida | 184 mg/L | 8.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Orlando, Florida | 128.5 mg/L | 6.6 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Ocoee, Florida | 91 mg/L | 5.4 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Oak Ridge, Florida | 71.5 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Pine Hills compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Pine Hills | 260.5 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Pine Hills's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Pine Hills, Florida, an unincorporated community in northwest Orange County west of Orlando — a predominantly African-American community, one of the most diverse and historically significant communities in the Orlando metro area, sometimes referred to locally as 'Crime Hills' — draws its municipal water supply from the Floridan Aquifer System via the Orange County Utilities and Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), applying reverse osmosis (RO) membrane treatment and conventional treatment to the highly mineralized Floridan Aquifer. Water hardness in Pine Hills measures 260.5 mg/L — classified as very hard.
Pine Hills's very hard supply — even after partial RO treatment — reflects the raw Floridan Aquifer's extreme carbonate concentration in Orange County. The Floridan Aquifer System (Eocene Ocala Limestone Group and Avon Park Formation — highly reactive Eocene calcareous carbonates and dolomites of the Florida Peninsula) at Orange County depths (400–800 feet) carries extremely hard groundwater (raw hardness 400–600 mg/L). Orange County Utilities applies partial RO treatment, blending the zero-hardness RO permeate with conventionally treated aquifer water. The Pine Hills northwest Orange County distribution zone receives a partial-RO blend producing the 260.5 mg/L supply — higher than some more heavily RO-treated zones in southeast Orange County.
At 260.5 mg/L, Pine Hills residents face significant hard water challenges. Scale deposits form rapidly on all fixtures and tile — monthly descaling with citric acid solution is essential maintenance. Orange County Utilities and OUC consistently deliver water meeting all Florida DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Floridan Aquifer System treated with reverse osmosis (RO) blending via the City of Orlando Utilities (OUC) and Orange County Utilities — the Floridan Aquifer Eocene Ocala Limestone and Avon Park Formation in Orange County; very hard supply at 260.5 mg/L — reflecting the Floridan Aquifer's high carbonate dissolution from the Eocene limestone, partially softened by OUC RO blend.