Sun City Center Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
4.1 grains per gallon
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
156.6 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.19
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 Sun City Center, your appliances are currently losing 9% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Sun City Center | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 7.3 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -14% |
| Washing Machine | 11 yrs | 12 yrs | -8% |
| Water Heater | 12.8 yrs | 15 yrs | -15% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Sun City Center compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sun City Center, Florida | 71 mg/L | 4.8 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Apollo Beach, Florida | 93.5 mg/L | 5.5 ppt | 🟡 Moderately Hard | groundwater |
| Ruskin, Florida | 225 mg/L | 9.6 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Gibsonton, Florida | 120.5 mg/L | 6.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Riverview, Florida | 171.5 mg/L | 8 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Sun City Center compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sun City Center | 71 mg/L | 🟡 Low |
| USA National Avg | 150 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Badger Top Rated | 8.5 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Sun City Center's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
Sun City Center, Florida, in Hillsborough County — a Hillsborough County planned retirement community adjacent to Ruskin and Apollo Beach in the south Tampa metropolitan area, one of Florida's largest retirement communities — receives its municipal water from Sun City Center Utilities or Hillsborough County Public Utilities, drawing from the Upper Floridan Aquifer through local production wells in south Hillsborough County.
The moderately soft 71 mg/L hardness and TDS of 156.6 mg/L are strikingly softer than northern Hillsborough County Floridan supplies (Lutz: 234 mg/L, TDS 692) — reflecting that the south Hillsborough County Floridan in the Sun City Center area draws from a shallower production zone with less carbonate dissolution. The Upper Floridan in south Hillsborough County near the Manatee County border accesses the Eocene Ocala Limestone at relatively shallow depths where the carbonate rock-water contact time is shorter and the Ocala Limestone is less densely crystalline, producing the characteristically softer water in the south Hillsborough corridor.
At 71 mg/L, Sun City Center's water is moderately soft — comfortable for household use. Scale forms slowly, soap lathers well, and appliances operate efficiently. Semi-annual descaling is adequate. The PFAS level of 4.8 ppt warrants a certified drinking water filter — MacDill Air Force Base (Tampa — US Central Command AFFF user in the Tampa Bay watershed), the Tampa Bay industrial-port complex, and the south Hillsborough County PFAS background contribute to Sun City Center's readings.
Geology & Source: Sun City Center in Hillsborough County draws from Sun City Center Utilities or Hillsborough County on a local Floridan Aquifer production zone (Upper Floridan, south Hillsborough County) — the Upper Floridan in south Hillsborough accesses Eocene Ocala Limestone at moderate depth — south Hillsborough Eocene Ocala Limestone karst aquifer produces moderately soft water at 71 mg/L with TDS 157 mg/L in this Hillsborough County Florida community.