Water hardness in Pinellas Park
12.7 gpg very hard
Tap water in Pinellas Park is very hard: 12.7 gpg (217 mg/L · 12.2 °dH · 21.7 °fH).
Source: Pinellas County 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (2025) · data checked 2026-10-21
Range across supply zones: 189–244 mg/L.
Pinellas Park is supplied by Pinellas County Utilities, which buys from Tampa Bay Water's regional supply of Floridan aquifer wells, surface water and desalinated seawater, plus county wells. Limestone aquifers add a lot of carbonate, so hardness is 217 mg/L CaCO₃ (189–244 mg/L). Scale builds up fast on fixtures and in water heaters.
USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
Water data
| Total hardness | 12.7 gpg |
|---|---|
| Utility | Pinellas County Utilities (wholesale supplier to Pinellas Park) |
How Pinellas Park compares
- Tap water in Pinellas Park is 40 % harder than the median of the 1372 cities we track in the United States (9.1 gpg).
- By hardness it ranks 472 of 1372 in the United States (1 = hardest); 65 % of these cities have softer water.
- In Florida it is number 2 of 17 cities; the regional median is 8.2 gpg.
- Nearest city with clearly softer water: St. Petersburg FL, 12 km away (9.2 gpg).
Ranking of the hardest and softest water in the United States →
What it means at home
- Severe scale: heater elements and washing-machine heaters fail early.
- Detergent use is very high; taps and screens coat within days.
- Dishwasher at maximum salt setting.
- An ion-exchange softener is practically essential; RO for drinking water.
How much salt will you use for softening?
Yes. At this hardness a softener pays for itself through appliance life and detergent.
Descale a coffee machine or kettle about every 1 months (typical manufacturer guidance for this hardness).
Estimates for planning, not a quote. Check your appliance manual for exact settings.
Dishwasher setting in Pinellas Park
| Brand | Setting for this water |
|---|---|
| Bosch | H04 |
| Miele | 12 °dH |
| AEG / Electrolux | 3 |
| Beko | 3rd |
| Hoover | S2 |
| LG | H2 |
From each brand's manual for the model family named in the source; your model may differ, so check its manual. All brands and how to change the setting →
FAQ
Is Pinellas Park water hard or soft?
It is very hard: 217 mg/L as CaCO₃ (12.7 gpg, 12.2 °dH). The usual bands are soft < 60, moderately hard 60–120, hard 120–180 and very hard > 180 mg/L.
Is tap water in Pinellas Park safe to drink?
Hardness is not a health issue; it is about limescale, taste and appliances. Mains water must meet national drinking-water standards. USGS classes: soft 0–60, moderately hard 61–120, hard 121–180, very hard >180 mg/L.
How many grains per gallon is Pinellas Park water?
12.7 gpg, equal to 12.2 °dH, 21.7 °fH or 217 mg/L calcium carbonate.
What dishwasher salt setting should I use in Pinellas Park?
For 217 mg/L (12.2 °dH) check your manufacturer's table: maximum level (5–7).
Do I need a water softener in Pinellas Park?
Yes, unless you are only passing through: scale damages appliances within a few years.
Source
Source: Pinellas County 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (2025). Method: figure published by the water supplier. Pinellas County 2025 Consumer Confidence Report · Outdated figure? Tell us