Hardness
Very Hard
260.5 PPM · 15.2 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Gainesville, FL 32608
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Alachua County.
No active health-based violation reported
- Primary matched system
- Gru - Murphree Wtp
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Alachua 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
7.0e-4 mg/L
5% of action level
Utility match
5 systems
Serves 195,768 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
260.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
260.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
15.2
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 260.5 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
14
Nearest site
13.9 mi
Observation range
Nov 20, 2019–Jan 21, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: NEWBERRY WELL NO. 3 AAL2489 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 32608 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Gainesville median
277 PPM
16 PPM lower11 indexed ZIP readings · Range 260.5–280 PPM
Florida median
280 PPM
19 PPM lower602 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 pass
Lead (PB90)
7.0e-4 mg/L
Reported Dec 1, 2025
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 7.0e-4
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 7
- Health-based
- 0
- Active health-based
- 0
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | FL2010946 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Jun 5, 2024 |
| Nitrate | FL2010612 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2022through Dec 31, 2022 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | FL2011251 | Resolved | Jan 1, 2021through Oct 31, 2023 |
| Public Notice | FL2010612 | Unaddressed | Oct 16, 2015 |
| Public Notice | FL2010612 | Unaddressed | Nov 20, 2014 |
| Public Notice | FL2010612 | Unaddressed | Sep 16, 2014 |
| Public Notice | FL2010612 | Unaddressed | Sep 16, 2014 |
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 Gainesville ZIP 32608 using 260.5 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
260.5 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 systemsAffiliate 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 Gainesville
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Gainesville
Is tap water safe in Gainesville?+
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 260.5 PPM, or 15.2 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 260.5 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.