Hardness
Very Hard
367 PPM · 21.5 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Bartow, FL 33830
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Polk County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Bartow, City Of
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Polk 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
0.0046 mg/L
31% of action level
Utility match
4 systems
Serves 21,501 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
367 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
367
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
21.5
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 367 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
73
Nearest site
4.7 mi
Observation range
Jan 13, 2016–May 27, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: POLK CO TEST HOLE AT 2474-3120 FT NR BARTOW FL (Test hole not completed as a well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 33830 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Bartow median
367 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 367–367 PPM
Florida median
280 PPM
87 PPM higher602 indexed ZIP readings · Range 20–374.5 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)
0.0046 mg/L
Reported Dec 1, 2024
Copper (CU90)
1.61 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 1998
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0046
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.61
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 46
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | FL6530315 | Archived | Mar 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| E. COLI | FL6532277 | Archived | Mar 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | FL6532277 | Archived | Mar 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | FL6532277 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| E. COLI | FL6532277 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | FL6535079 | Unaddressed | Feb 1, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | FL6535079 | Unaddressed | Feb 1, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | FL6535079 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| E. COLI | FL6535079 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | FL6534834 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| E. COLI | FL6534834 | Resolved | Dec 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | FL6530315 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Jul 31, 2024 |
| E. COLI | FL6532277 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Jul 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | FL6532277 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Jul 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | FL6530315 | Resolved | Jun 1, 2024through Jun 30, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | FL6535079 | Resolved | Jun 1, 2024through Jun 30, 2024 |
| E. COLI | FL6535079 | Resolved | Jun 1, 2024through Jun 30, 2024 |
| E. COLI | FL6532277 | Resolved | Jun 1, 2024through Jun 30, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | FL6532277 | Resolved | Jun 1, 2024through Jun 30, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | FL6534834 | Resolved | Jun 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 Bartow ZIP 33830 using 367 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
367 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
Copper (90th percentile), LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS 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 Bartow
Is tap water safe in Bartow?+
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 367 PPM, or 21.5 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 367 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.