Hardness
Very Hard
245 PPM · 14.3 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Benson, AZ 85602
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Cochise County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Benson, City Of Water System
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Cochise County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
5 systems
Serves 5,355 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
245 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
245
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
14.3
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 245 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
27
Nearest site
41.3 mi
Observation range
Jan 11, 2016–Mar 31, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: D-13-12 10DDA1 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 85602 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Benson median
245 PPM
About the same2 indexed ZIP readings · Range 245–245 PPM
Arizona median
241 PPM
About the same285 indexed ZIP readings · Range 66.4–1250 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2027
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 50
- Health-based
- 9
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AZ0402125 | Archived | Feb 1, 2026through Feb 28, 2026 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | AZ0402005 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 19, 2026 |
| Public Notice | AZ0402005 | Resolved | Oct 19, 2025through Mar 26, 2026 |
| Public Notice | AZ0402042 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2025through Nov 24, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0402042 | Unaddressed | Oct 2, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0402042 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Public Notice | AZ0402042 | Unaddressed | Dec 20, 2024 |
| Public Notice | AZ0402125 | Resolved | Dec 20, 2024through Jan 10, 2025 |
| Public Notice | AZ0402122 | Resolved | Dec 20, 2024through Dec 13, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | AZ0402042 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Jan 15, 2026 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | AZ0402042 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Jan 15, 2026 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | AZ0402125 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Dec 9, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | AZ0402125 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Dec 9, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | AZ0402122 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Dec 19, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | AZ0402122 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Dec 19, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | AZ0402005 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Mar 4, 2026 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | AZ0402042 | Resolved | Sep 8, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | AZ0402042 | Unaddressed | Sep 8, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AZ0402042 | Resolved | Aug 1, 2024through Sep 11, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | AZ0402042 | Resolved | Jul 21, 2024through Jul 21, 2024 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Benson ZIP 85602 using 245 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
245 PPM is 2× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsDrinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Groundwater Rule has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Benson
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Benson
Is tap water safe in Benson?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 245 PPM, or 14.3 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 245 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.