Hardness
Moderately Hard
89 PPM · 5.2 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Clifton, AZ 85533
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Greenlee County.
1 reported benchmark flag
- Primary matched system
- Morenci Water Elec Co Clifton
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Greenlee County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
No active flag
0 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
3 systems
Serves 1,678 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
89 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
89
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
5.2
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 89 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
14
Nearest site
57.8 mi
Observation range
Jul 12, 2017–Apr 30, 2020
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: A-08-29 05ADB (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 85533 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Clifton median
78 PPM
11 PPM higher2 indexed ZIP readings · Range 66.4–89 PPM
Arizona median
241 PPM
152 PPM lower285 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 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2026
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
Arsenic
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.022
EPA limit 0.01
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 55
- Health-based
- 13
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | AZ0406002 | Archived | Mar 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Chlorine | AZ0406002 | Archived | Feb 1, 2026through Feb 28, 2026 |
| Chlorine | AZ0406002 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Jan 31, 2026 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | AZ0406004 | Unaddressed | Jan 1, 2026 |
| ArsenicHealth-basedReported 0.022 MG/L · MCL 0.01 | AZ0406004 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| ArsenicHealth-basedReported 0.021 MG/L · MCL 0.01 | AZ0406004 | Archived | Oct 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | AZ0406004 | Resolved | Jul 2, 2025through Jan 12, 2026 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | AZ0406005 | Resolved | Jul 2, 2025through Jan 12, 2026 |
| ArsenicHealth-basedReported 0.021 MG/L · MCL 0.01 | AZ0406004 | Archived | Jul 1, 2025through Sep 30, 2025 |
| ArsenicHealth-basedReported 0.021 MG/L · MCL 0.01 | AZ0406004 | Archived | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Public Notice | AZ0406005 | Resolved | Feb 20, 2025through Jul 1, 2025 |
| Arsenic | AZ0406004 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | AZ0406004 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Mar 24, 2026 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | AZ0406005 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2025through Feb 25, 2026 |
| ArsenicHealth-basedReported 0.017 MG/L · MCL 0.01 | AZ0406004 | Archived | Oct 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AZ0406002 | Resolved | Sep 1, 2024through Oct 17, 2024 |
| Arsenic | AZ0406004 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| ArsenicHealth-basedReported 0.014 MG/L · MCL 0.01 | AZ0406004 | Archived | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Nitrate | AZ0406005 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Nitrate | AZ0406005 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Jun 30, 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 Clifton ZIP 85533 using 89 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Arsenic 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 Clifton
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Clifton
Is tap water safe in Clifton?+
EPA ECHO shows no active health-based violation for the associated systems in this reporting snapshot. This does not prove every contaminant is absent; federal records can lag and household plumbing can change tap conditions.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 89 PPM, or 5.2 grains per gallon, classified as moderately hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.