Hardness
Hard
154.5 PPM · 9 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Surprise, AZ 85342
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Yavapai County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Epcor - Agua Fria
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater
- County
- Yavapai 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
9 systems
Serves 127,718 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
154.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
154.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
9
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 154.5 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
24
Nearest site
24.9 mi
Observation range
Jan 4, 2016–Mar 24, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: CITRUS-GROVERS @ 71ST AVENUE (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 85342 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Surprise median
112 PPM
43 PPM higher7 indexed ZIP readings · Range 97–154.5 PPM
Arizona median
241 PPM
86 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 pass
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 2026
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
- 104
- Health-based
- 3
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Notice | AZ0407524 | Unaddressed | Feb 7, 2026 |
| DICHLOROMETHANE | AZ0407500 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| DICHLOROMETHANE | AZ0407500 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| DICHLOROMETHANE | AZ0407523 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| DICHLOROMETHANE | AZ0407523 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | AZ0407528 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2026through Jan 31, 2026 |
| Public Notice | AZ0407524 | Unaddressed | Nov 16, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0407169 | Resolved | Oct 2, 2025through Nov 7, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0407549 | Resolved | Oct 2, 2025through Nov 7, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | AZ0407524 | Resolved | Oct 2, 2025through Nov 7, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform RuleHealth-based | AZ0407695 | Unaddressed | Aug 24, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | AZ0407524 | Unaddressed | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | AZ0407695 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Jul 31, 2025 |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | AZ0407549 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| CHLOROBENZENE | AZ0407549 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | AZ0407549 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Ethylbenzene | AZ0407549 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | AZ0407549 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| Vinyl chloride | AZ0407549 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 2025 |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | AZ0407549 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2025through Jun 30, 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 Surprise ZIP 85342 using 154.5 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
154.5 PPM is 1× 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
Revised Total Coliform 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 Surprise
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Surprise
Is tap water safe in Surprise?+
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 154.5 PPM, or 9 grains per gallon, classified as hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 154.5 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.