How does Sunset's water compare to the national average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Sunset (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L softer than average.

Sunset Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

Water Hardness

hard

~120–179 mg/L

Hard

estimated · not lab-verified

Source

groundwater

pH Level

7.4

neutral = 7.0

Lead

0.001 mg/L

✓ Below action level

TDS

315 mg/L

Est. Daily Cost

$0.40

energy & soap waste

Source: See methodology section below · Updated 2026

hard~120–179 mg/LHard · est.

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 Sunset, your appliances are currently losing 20% efficiency due to mineral buildup.

Appliance	In Sunset	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 Sunset compares to its nearest neighbours

City	Hardness	PFAS (ppt)	Risk	Source
▶ Sunset, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	5.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Olympia Heights, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.1 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Glenvar Heights, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	6.7 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
Westwood Lake, Florida	≈ 120–179 mg/L	8.5 ppt	🟠 Hard	groundwater
University Park, Florida	262.5 mg/L	10.8 ppt	🔴 Very Hard	groundwater

National Benchmark

How Sunset compares to the USA average

Benchmark	Hardness	Appliance Risk
▶ Sunset	≈ 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 Sunset's Water Unique?

Local geology and source profile

Source: GroundwaterTDS: 315 mg/LpH: 7.4

Sunset, Florida, an unincorporated community in Orange County near Orlando, receives drinking water from the Orange County Utilities (OCU) system, serving over 1 million county residents. The primary source is groundwater extracted from the Floridan Aquifer via multiple wellfields, including the Lincoln Wellfield and Wekiva Wellfield. Water is treated at facilities including the Wekiva Water Treatment Plant and the Markham Regional Water Treatment Plant, using aeration, filtration, disinfection with chloramines, and corrosion control.

The supply draws from the Floridan Aquifer System, a major karst aquifer formed in Eocene and Oligocene carbonate formations, including the Ocala Limestone and Avon Park Formation. Recharge occurs through sinkholes and direct infiltration into exposed limestone across Central Florida. These soluble carbonate rocks dissolve over time, releasing calcium and magnesium ions that impart a hard character to the groundwater as it flows through the underground aquifer network.

Scale buildup occurs on heating elements in water heaters, inside pipes, and on fixtures, reducing efficiency and lifespan; dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee makers show spots on glassware and reduced soap lather. Regular vinegar descaling and installing drain screens help manage deposits, and a water softener is recommended for households experiencing noticeable scaling. Orange County's water meets all EPA standards — pH is typically adjusted to 8.0–8.5 for corrosion control, no PFAS exceedances are reported in recent CCRs, and trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids remain low post-treatment.

Geology & Source: Floridan Aquifer System — karst aquifer in Eocene and Oligocene Ocala Limestone and Avon Park Formation; limestone and dolomite dissolution releases calcium and magnesium, producing hard groundwater

Other Florida Water Reports

Olympia Heights

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Glenvar Heights

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

Westwood Lake

≈ 120–179 mg/L

🟠 Hard

University Park

262.5 mg/L

🔴 Very Hard

Report an Issue

Notice an error or missing data? Help us keep this page accurate. If you spot incorrect water hardness, outdated utility info, or missing details, please let us know.

All reports are reviewed by our team. Thank you for supporting data quality!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sunset's water safe to drink?

Yes. Sunset's water meets all federal safety standards. The hardness is ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), which is safe to drink. High hardness affects appliances and taste, but poses no health risk.

Do I need a water softener in Sunset?

At ≈ 120–179 mg/L (Hard), Sunset's water will cause significant limescale on kettles, washing machines, and water heaters. A water softener or descaler is strongly recommended to extend appliance lifespan and reduce energy bills by up to 20%.

How does Sunset compare to the USA average?

The USA national average is 151 mg/L. Sunset (≈ 120–179 mg/L) is 1 mg/L below the national average. The softest major city is Scarsdale at just 0.02 mg/L.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for Sunset is derived from geographic and geological modelling of the surrounding region. No federal monitoring station data was available for this location.

Estimated

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.

Estimated

Estimated from regional geology and source water characteristics. pH is correlated with water hardness and local bedrock — values may differ from utility-reported figures.

Estimated

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.

Measured

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.

Modelled

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.

Calculated

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.