Sunrise Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)
Water Hardness
~120–179 mg/L
Hardestimated · not lab-verified
Source
groundwater
pH Level
7.4
neutral = 7.0
Lead
0.001 mg/L
✓ Below action level
TDS
178.5 mg/L
Est. Daily Cost
$0.40
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 Sunrise, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.
| Appliance | In Sunrise | Soft Water City | Efficiency Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 6.8 yrs | 8.5 yrs | -20% |
| Washing Machine | 9.6 yrs | 12 yrs | -20% |
| Water Heater | 12 yrs | 15 yrs | -20% |
Regional Water Comparison
How Sunrise compares to its nearest neighbours
| City | Hardness | PFAS (ppt) | Risk | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sunrise, Florida | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 70.4 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Fort Lauderdale, Florida | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 59.5 ppt | 🟠 Hard | groundwater |
| Wilton Manors, Florida | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 56.2 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| Oakland Park, Florida | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 0 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
| North Andrews Gardens, Florida | ≈ 180+ mg/L | 11.4 ppt | 🔴 Very Hard | groundwater |
National Benchmark
How Sunrise compares to the USA average
| Benchmark | Hardness | Appliance Risk |
|---|---|---|
| ▶ Sunrise | ≈ 120–179 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| USA National Avg | 151 mg/L | 🟠 Moderate |
| Scarsdale Top Rated | 0.02 mg/L | 🟢 None |
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What Makes Sunrise's Water Unique?
Local geology and source profile
The City of Sunrise, Florida is served by Broward County Water and Wastewater Services (WWS), which draws its supply from the Biscayne Aquifer. The utility operates multiple water treatment plants serving the Sunrise service area, including neighborhoods from Welleby to the Inverrary Country Club area. Treatment involves lime and ferric chloride to reduce hardness and color before distribution. The city issues annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) demonstrating compliance with EPA drinking water standards, available through the City of Sunrise official website and the Utilities Department.
Sunrise's water originates from the Biscayne Aquifer, which sits atop ancient limestone formations deposited during the Paleocene epoch when South Florida was covered by shallow seas. As groundwater percolates through this limestone bedrock, it dissolves calcium carbonate, creating a moderately mineralized supply. The karst geology of South Florida — characterized by extensive limestone and carbonate rock formations — is the primary driver of the water's mineral content, particularly dissolved calcium and magnesium.
Moderately hard water causes scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and fixtures over time, creating ongoing maintenance challenges including reduced appliance lifespan and increased energy bills. A water softener is recommended, particularly for households with older plumbing or high-value appliances, and regular descaling of fixtures and water heaters is advisable. The water leaving treatment plants has no detectable lead; however, the EPA notes potential concern regarding lead leaching from solder material in indoor plumbing installed between 1983 and June 1988, a construction method widely used in South Florida. The overall water quality score for Sunrise is reported as C+, meeting basic legal requirements while falling short of optimal health standards.
Geology & Source: Biscayne Aquifer atop Paleocene limestone formations — South Florida karst geology; groundwater percolates through limestone bedrock deposited in ancient shallow seas, dissolving calcium carbonate and producing moderately hard, mineral-rich water
Other Florida Water Reports
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sunrise's water safe to drink?
Do I need a water softener in Sunrise?
How does Sunrise compare to the USA average?
Data Sources & Methodology
Water quality data for Sunrise 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.