Hardness
Very Hard
323 PPM · 18.9 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Pima, AZ 85543
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Graham County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Graham County Utilities - Pima
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Graham 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
0.032 mg/L
213% of action level
Utility match
3 systems
Serves 3,799 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
323 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
323
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
18.9
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 323 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
13
Nearest site
4.5 mi
Observation range
Mar 29, 2016–May 29, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: GILA RIVER ABOVE PECK WASH NEAR PIMA, AZ (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 85543 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Pima median
323 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 323–323 PPM
Arizona median
241 PPM
82 PPM higher285 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.
0 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.032 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 0.032
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 43
- Health-based
- 6
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | AZ0405001 | Unaddressed | Dec 1, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0405002 | Resolved | Oct 2, 2025through Oct 9, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0405001 | Resolved | Oct 2, 2025through Oct 9, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0405007 | Resolved | Oct 2, 2025through Oct 9, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0405002 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Oct 9, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0405001 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Oct 9, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0405007 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Oct 9, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | AZ0405002 | Resolved | Feb 23, 2025through Mar 24, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0405001 | Resolved | Oct 2, 2023through Oct 10, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0405007 | Resolved | Oct 2, 2023through Oct 10, 2023 |
| Public Notice | AZ0405002 | Resolved | Apr 2, 2023through May 3, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | AZ0405001 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Jan 19, 2023 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | AZ0405007 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2023through Jan 19, 2023 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | AZ0405002 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Jun 20, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | AZ0405002 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Jun 20, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | AZ0405002 | Resolved | Jun 1, 2022through Jun 20, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | AZ0405002 | Resolved | Mar 17, 2022through Oct 6, 2022 |
| Public Notice | AZ0405002 | Resolved | Feb 13, 2022through Mar 28, 2022 |
| Chlorine | AZ0405002 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2022through Mar 31, 2022 |
| Public Notice | AZ0405002 | Resolved | Nov 25, 2021through Mar 28, 2022 |
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 Pima ZIP 85543 using 323 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
323 PPM is 3× 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
Lead (90th percentile), Lead and Copper Rule 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 Pima
Is tap water safe in Pima?+
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 323 PPM, or 18.9 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 323 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.