Is Miramar, FL Tap Water Safe to Drink?

B
Good1 concern found

Yes, Miramar tap water is safe to drink. No contaminants exceed health guidelines. However, Miramar has very hard water at 227 PPM, which will cause scale buildup in plumbing and appliances over time. A water softener is worth considering.

City of Miramar · Source: Biscayne Aquifer · Serves 127,700 residents ·

227
Hardness (PPM)
236
FL Average
138
National Avg
0
PFAS (ppt)
8.9
Lead (ppb)
227 PPM Very Hard
CONTAMINANT LEVELS Hardness 227 PPM TDS 385 PPM PFAS 0 ppt Lead 8.9 ppb Chlorine 1.3 mg/L Nitrate 0.0987 mg/L
Water hardness gauge for Miramar FL showing 227 PPM Very HardWater quality contaminant levels in Miramar FL compared to EPA limits - hardness 227 PPM, PFAS 0 ppt, lead 8.9 ppb

Hardness Scale: Where Miramar Falls

Soft
0
Slightly
60
Moderate
120
Hard
180
Very Hard
250
Extreme
400+
Very hard waterElevated lead levels

How Miramar Compares

Miramar's water is 64% harder than the national average of 138 PPM. It ranks #248 out of 1000 cities in our database (harder than 75% of US cities we track). Within Florida, it ranks #40 of 64 cities (4% below the state average of 236 PPM). Among mid-size cities (100k-200k), Miramar ranks #53 of 189 for hardness. At this hardness level, water heaters run an estimated 42% less efficiently due to scale insulation, and major water-using appliances typically last 3 years less than the national average lifespan.

What Miramar's Water Means for Your Home

Hardness: 227 PPM - Treatment Recommended

Miramar has some seriously hard water. At 227 PPM (13.3 grains per gallon), your tap is loaded with dissolved calcium and magnesium picked up from underground limestone and dolomite formations. Here's the thing: it's perfectly safe to drink. The minerals won't hurt you. But they will hurt your wallet. That adds up. Hard water at 227 PPM increases household costs through scale-coated water heaters that use more energy, extra soap and detergent, and appliances that wear out faster. Most Miramar homeowners don't realize it until the plumber shows up. That's 4% softer than the Florida average.

Contaminants & Safety

Lead levels deserve attention. At 8.9 ppb, Miramar is above the ideal of zero, though below the EPA action level of 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb in November 2027 under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). The lead typically comes from aging service lines or interior plumbing, not the treatment plant. A point-of-use filter certified for lead at the kitchen faucet is a practical safeguard, especially in older homes.

How Hard Water Affects Your Home

At 227 PPM, untreated hard water has measurable effects on household costs and appliance life:

  • Water heater inefficiency: Scale insulation forces the heater to work harder (DOE estimates up to 22% more energy for heavily scaled units)
  • Soap and detergent: Hard water reduces lathering, requiring significantly more product
  • Appliance replacement: Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines fail 2-4 years earlier due to scale buildup
  • Plumbing maintenance: Scale buildup in pipes reduces flow and requires more frequent service

Note: Impact varies by household size, water usage, and local energy costs. A home water test provides the most accurate assessment for your specific situation.

Water quality contaminant levels for Miramar, FL
ContaminantDetectedHealth GuidelineLegal LimitStatus
Hardness (as CaCO₃)227 PPM< 60 PPMNo federal limit⚠ Very Hard
Total Dissolved Solids385 PPM< 300 PPM500 PPM⚠ Elevated
PFAS (total)0 pptNo total limit✓ ND
↳ PFOA0 ppt0 ppt4 ppt (2024)✓ OK
↳ PFOS0 ppt0 ppt4 ppt (2024)✓ OK
Lead8.9 ppb0 ppb (no safe level)15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027)⚠ Elevated
Chlorine / Chloramine1.3 mg/LTaste threshold ~1.04.0 mg/L✓ Normal
Nitrate0.0987 mg/L5 mg/L10 mg/L✓ OK

Our Top Picks for Miramar (227 PPM)

Hard water at 227 PPM causes scale buildup, increased energy use, and premature appliance failure. A softener protects your plumbing and appliances.

Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter

At 1.3 mg/L chlorine, many Miramar residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.

How to Test Your Water in Miramar

Lead enters water from your home's plumbing, not the treatment plant — so Miramar's city-wide average of 8.9 ppb may not match your tap. Testing your specific faucet is the only way to know. Run cold water for 30 seconds before collecting a sample.

Most Accurate: Certified Lab Kit

Mail-in sample analyzed by a certified lab. 21+ parameters including PFAS, heavy metals, and bacteria. Worth it for confirming lead levels at your specific tap.

Tap Score Lab Kit
Quick Check: DIY Test Strips

Results in 60 seconds. Tests hardness, lead, chlorine, pH, and 13 other parameters. Good enough to confirm whether your home matches the city average.

Varify 17-in-1 Test Strips
Verify Your Softener: TDS Meter

Instant digital reading of total dissolved solids. Handy for checking if your softener is actually working. Test before and after.

HoneForest TDS Meter

Free option: Request City of Miramar's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.

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About Miramar's Water Supply

Water Utility: City of Miramar

Water Source: Biscayne Aquifer (Groundwater)

Population Served: 127,700

Hardness: 227 PPM (13.3 grains per gallon)

Miramar draws its drinking water from groundwater sources — Biscayne Aquifer. Groundwater typically requires less treatment than surface water because the earth acts as a natural filter. The tradeoff: dissolved minerals from underground rock formations, which is why hardness is elevated here. Calcium and magnesium dissolve into the water as it moves through limestone and dolomite. The system serves 128,000 residents.

Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request City of Miramar's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.

ZIP Codes Covered by This Report

This water quality data applies to all areas served by City of Miramar in Miramar, FL, including ZIP codes:

33055, 33056

If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.

Water Softener Sizing for Miramar

At 227 PPM (13.3 GPG), here is how to size a softener for your Miramar home. Multiply hardness in GPG (13.3) by daily water usage (roughly 50 gallons per person). A family of four uses about 200 gallons/day: 13.3 GPG × 200 gal = 2660 grains/day. Over a 7-day regeneration cycle, that is 18,620 grains - a 32,000-grain softener is the right fit for most Miramar households.

Compare Miramar to Other Florida Cities

Frequently Asked Questions About Miramar Water

Is Miramar tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Miramar tap water is safe to drink. All regulated contaminants are within EPA limits. Review the contaminant table above for details.
Where does Miramar's water come from?
Miramar's drinking water is sourced from Biscayne Aquifer and treated by City of Miramar. Groundwater typically has higher mineral content but needs less chemical treatment than surface water. Learn more about Biscayne Aquifer
Do I need a water softener in Miramar?
Yes. At 227 PPM (13.3 GPG), Miramar's water is very hard. Without a softener, expect visible scale buildup, reduced water heater efficiency, spotted dishes, and soap that doesn't lather well. A salt-based water softener is the standard solution.
What water filter is best for Miramar?
The best filter depends on which contaminants you want to address. For lead, look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53 certification at the kitchen faucet. For chlorine taste and odor, an activated carbon filter is effective and affordable. See our softener vs. filter guide for the full breakdown.
Does Miramar water damage tankless water heaters?
Yes. Most manufacturers recommend below 7-11 GPG (120-188 PPM). At 13.3 GPG, Miramar's water exceeds this. Scale buildup in the heat exchanger reduces efficiency and can void warranties. A water softener upstream is the standard solution.
Do I need both a softener AND a filter in Miramar?
In Miramar, yes — they solve different problems. A softener removes hardness minerals (227 PPM) that cause scale and soap scum. A filter removes contaminants like lead (8.9 ppb). Install the softener first (whole-house), then a point-of-use filter at the kitchen sink for drinking water.
How much does hard water cost a Miramar household per year?
At 227 PPM, hard water increases household expenses through higher water heating bills (scale buildup insulates heating elements), more soap and detergent needed, shorter appliance lifespans, and increased plumbing maintenance. A water softener reduces these costs and typically pays for itself within a few years.
What is the hardness of Miramar water in grains per gallon?
Miramar's water hardness is 13.3 grains per gallon (GPG), which equals 227 parts per million (PPM). Most water softener manufacturers recommend treatment above 7 GPG. To convert: 1 GPG = 17.1 PPM.

Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.

What Miramar Homeowners Actually Buy

Common purchases for homes with 227 PPM water.

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Miramar's water data.

On a private well? This report covers Miramar's municipal water only. Interpret your well water lab report

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