Hardness
Very Hard
243 PPM · 14.2 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Maricopa, AZ 85138
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Pinal County.
3 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Gw Santa Cruz Water Co
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Pinal County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
3 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
10 systems
Serves 84,000 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
243 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
243
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
14.2
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 243 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
43
Nearest site
25.1 mi
Observation range
Jan 11, 2016–Dec 18, 2024
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: D-01-02 10ACA1 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 85138 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Maricopa median
243 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 243–243 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 pass2 fail
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
3 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
Nitrate
Measured in MG/L
Local 28
EPA limit 10
Arsenic
Measured in MG/L
Local 0.012
EPA limit 0.01
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 169
- Health-based
- 41
- Active health-based
- 3
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | AZ0411328 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 25, 2026 |
| Chlorine | AZ0411036 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Jan 31, 2026 |
| NitrateHealth-basedReported 28 MG/L · MCL 10 | AZ0411097 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| NitrateHealth-basedReported 11 MG/L · MCL 10 | AZ0411557 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AZ0411131 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2025through Nov 30, 2025 |
| Chlorine | AZ0411131 | Archived | Nov 1, 2025through Nov 30, 2025 |
| NitrateHealth-basedReported 30 MG/L · MCL 10 | AZ0411097 | Archived | Oct 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | AZ0411131 | Resolved | Aug 1, 2025through Aug 31, 2025 |
| Public Notice | AZ0411131 | Resolved | Jul 19, 2025through Sep 22, 2025 |
| Public Notice | AZ0411131 | Resolved | Jul 19, 2025through Sep 22, 2025 |
| Public Notice | AZ0411131 | Resolved | Jul 19, 2025through Sep 22, 2025 |
| Public Notice | AZ0411131 | Resolved | Jul 19, 2025through Sep 22, 2025 |
| Public Notice | AZ0411097 | Resolved | Jul 12, 2025through Sep 22, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | AZ0411036 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| NitrateHealth-basedReported 30 MG/L · MCL 10 | AZ0411097 | Archived | Jul 1, 2025through Sep 30, 2025 |
| Public Notice | AZ0411557 | Resolved | Apr 17, 2025through Nov 3, 2025 |
| NitrateHealth-basedReported 31 MG/L · MCL 10 | AZ0411097 | Archived | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| NitrateHealth-basedReported 11 MG/L · MCL 10 | AZ0411557 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Chlorine | AZ0411328 | Resolved | Mar 1, 2025through Mar 31, 2025 |
| Public Notice | AZ0411557 | Resolved | Jan 25, 2025through Jan 28, 2025 |
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 Maricopa ZIP 85138 using 243 PPM nearby hardness and 3 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
243 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
Nitrate, Arsenic have 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.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Maricopa
Is tap water safe in Maricopa?+
EPA ECHO reports 3 active health-based violations 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 243 PPM, or 14.2 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 243 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.