South Miami Heights Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
14.5 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
8.5
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.006 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
749.9 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 South Miami Heights, your appliances are currently losing 33% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In South Miami Heights | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 1.5 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -82% |
| Washing Machine | 4.4 yrs | 12 yrs | -63% |
| Water Heater | 5.7 yrs | 15 yrs | -62% |
Regional Water Comparison
How South Miami Heights compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ South Miami Heights, Florida | 248 mg/L | 10.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Palmetto Estates, Florida | 178.5 mg/L | 8.2 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Cutler Ridge, Florida | 220 mg/L | 9.5 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Cutler Bay, Florida | 158 mg/L | 7.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Three Lakes, Florida | 169.5 mg/L | 7.9 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How South Miami Heights compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ South Miami Heights | 248 mg/L | 🔴 High |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes South Miami Heights's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
South Miami Heights, Florida, an unincorporated community in Miami-Dade County — a major south Miami-Dade County suburban community in the southern corridor toward Homestead (South Miami Heights is a densely populated unincorporated community south of Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay), a diverse Miami-Dade County community with a significant Cuban-American, Haitian-American, and Nicaraguan-American population, adjacent to Cutler Ridge and Florida City in the south Miami-Dade corridor, and a large residential community in the south Miami-Dade County agricultural–suburban transition zone — draws its municipal water supply from the Biscayne Aquifer via the Miami-Dade WASD. Water hardness in South Miami Heights measures 248 mg/L — classified as very hard.
South Miami Heights's very hard supply reflects the south Miami-Dade County Biscayne Aquifer's highly calcareous limestone geology with limited treatment. The Biscayne Aquifer in south Miami-Dade County draws from the Pleistocene Miami Limestone (highly calcareous oolitic and bioclastic limestone — the primary Biscayne Aquifer host in south Miami-Dade; approximately 90% CaCO₃). Miami-Dade WASD's south distribution zone applies limited lime softening in the South Miami Heights–Homestead corridor, producing the very hard 248 mg/L.
At 248 mg/L, South Miami Heights residents face severe hard water challenges. Weekly descaling and appliance protection measures are strongly recommended. Miami-Dade WASD consistently delivers water meeting all Florida DEP and EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Geology & Source: Groundwater from the Biscayne Aquifer (surficial limestone aquifer) via the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD) — the Miami-Dade County south Florida suburban Homestead corridor (Pleistocene Miami Limestone and Fort Thompson Formation — the highly calcareous south Miami-Dade Biscayne Aquifer; limited lime softening in the South Miami Heights zone); very hard supply at 248 mg/L in Miami-Dade County.