Saint Augustine Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14.4 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
741.3 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.66
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 Saint Augustine, your appliances are currently losing 33% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Saint Augustine | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.5 yrs | 12 yrs | -63% |
| Water Heater | 5.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -61% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Saint Augustine compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Saint Augustine, Florida | 246 mg/L | 10.3 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Palm Valley, Florida | 174 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| St. Johns, Florida | 136 mg/L | 6.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Palm Coast, Florida | 167.5 mg/L | 7.8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida | 321 mg/L | 12.7 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Saint Augustine compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Saint Augustine | 246 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Saint Augustine's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Saint Augustine, Florida, in Saint Johns County — the Saint Johns County seat adjacent to Jacksonville and Palm Coast on the northeast Florida Atlantic coast — receives its water from the Saint Johns County Utility, drawing from the Floridan Aquifer (Saint Johns County) through the northeast Florida distribution.
The very hard 246 mg/L hardness and TDS of 741.3 mg/L reflect the northeast Florida Saint Johns County coastal Floridan Aquifer supply's very hard calcareous-saline character — the Eocene Ocala Limestone and Oligocene Suwannee Limestone at the northeast Florida coast produce very hard water compounded by saltwater intrusion from the Atlantic coastal zone (compare Middleburg FL: 110 mg/L shallower Clay County draw; Lockhart FL: 184 mg/L central Florida). The Floridan Aquifer at Saint Johns County — Eocene Ocala Limestone (highly calcareous — primary hardness contributor), Oligocene Suwannee Limestone (calcareous — secondary contributor), and coastal saltwater mixing (chloride — major TDS contributor).
At 246 mg/L with TDS 741, Saint Augustine's water is very hard. A water softener is strongly recommended to prevent rapid scale buildup. A reverse osmosis system is advisable for drinking water. The PFAS level of 10.3 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — the Saint Johns County northeast Florida industrial and former Navy corridor contribute to Saint Augustine's elevated PFAS readings.
Geology & Source: Saint Augustine in Saint Johns County draws from the Saint Johns County Utility on the Floridan Aquifer (Saint Johns County, northeast Florida) — the Floridan Aquifer at Saint Johns County is developed in highly calcareous Eocene Ocala Limestone and Oligocene Suwannee Limestone — Florida Saint Johns County Floridan Aquifer Eocene-Oligocene highly calcareous coastal aquifer produces very hard water at 246 mg/L with TDS 741.3 mg/L.